Updating lsphp
Learning Focus
By the end of this lesson you will know how to update lsphp packages safely, manage multiple PHP versions, and verify that PHP is working correctly after an update.
Why lsphp Updates Matter
PHP security releases patch vulnerabilities that can expose your applications to remote attacks. Compatibility updates ensure modern frameworks and CMS versions work correctly.
Check Current lsphp Version
# Check installed lsphp packages
dpkg -l | grep lsphp # Debian/Ubuntu
rpm -qa | grep lsphp # RHEL family
# Check running PHP version
/usr/local/lsws/lsphp84/bin/lsphp -v
Update lsphp
On Debian / Ubuntu
# Update package lists
sudo apt update
# Upgrade all lsphp packages
sudo apt upgrade lsphp84 lsphp84-common lsphp84-mysql lsphp84-curl
# Or upgrade a specific version
sudo apt install lsphp84=DESIRED_VERSION
On RHEL / AlmaLinux / Rocky
sudo dnf upgrade lsphp84 lsphp84-common lsphp84-mysqlnd
Post-Update Verification
# 1) Check the new PHP version
/usr/local/lsws/lsphp84/bin/lsphp -v
# 2) Restart OpenLiteSpeed to pick up the new binary
sudo /usr/local/lsws/bin/lswsctrl restart
# 3) Test PHP execution
echo '<?php echo "PHP " . phpversion() . "\n"; ?>' > /tmp/test.php
/usr/local/lsws/lsphp84/bin/lsphp /tmp/test.php
rm /tmp/test.php
# 4) Test via web request
curl http://localhost/info.php # if you have a phpinfo test page
# 5) Check for PHP errors
tail -20 /usr/local/lsws/logs/stderr.log
Managing Multiple PHP Versions
If you run multiple applications needing different PHP versions:
| Application | PHP Version | lsphp Binary |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress site | PHP 8.4 | /usr/local/lsws/lsphp84/bin/lsphp |
| Legacy app | PHP 8.1 | /usr/local/lsws/lsphp81/bin/lsphp |
# Install an additional PHP version
sudo apt install lsphp81 lsphp81-common lsphp81-mysql
# Configure separate external apps in WebAdmin for each version
info
Each PHP version has its own php.ini file. After updating lsphp, check that your custom INI settings were not overwritten by the package update.
Common Post-Update Issues
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Extension missing after update | New package replaced extension list | Reinstall missing extension package |
| php.ini changes lost | Package overwrote custom config | Restore from backup or re-apply |
| 503 errors on PHP pages | PHP workers not restarted | Reload OpenLiteSpeed |
| OPcache not warming | Cache invalidated by update | Expected; first requests will be slower |
Key Takeaways
- Keep lsphp current — especially for security patches.
- Always restart OpenLiteSpeed after updating lsphp to pick up the new binary.
- Check that custom php.ini settings survived the package update.
- Verify PHP works with a test script and error log review.
What's Next
- Continue to Backup Configuration to protect your setup before future changes.