OCT 26 UPDATE: The ability to roll back to a version earlier than PHP 8.1, will remain available in the software update tool, through Sunday, November 26- the last day of security support by PHP. Earlier version options will be permanently removed on Monday, November 27, 2023.
In July, we called your attention to the upcoming security support end-of-life for PHP 8.0, and the timeline that VIP has outlined, to prepare customers ahead of the formal PHP deadline of November 26, 2023.
We are now 30 days out from the first wave of VIP updates commencing, and are taking this opportunity to remind customers to please test and deploy the update ahead of this schedule, to avoid any interruptions. Below are a few scenarios we’ve outlined to ensure your teams know what to expect. In addition, our PHP Updates documentation was recently updated to include a more robust outline to help your teams address these updates now, and in the future.
Customer Scenarios
Ideal: We’ve tested and deployed the update ahead of the VIP schedule.
Amazing! There will be no surprises for your team, and VIP will not touch your application when running our updates.
Incomplete: We’ve tested this update, and are going to wait for VIP to run the update.
While it’s awesome that you’ve tested your application(s) against the update, we don’t recommend waiting for VIP to run the update for you, for a few reasons:
- VIP may run the update at a time in which your team is not available. If the update deploys with no issue, this is not a problem, but if it doesn’t, having your team available to address any issues with your application puts your business in a better position.
- While differences between test environments and production environments may be minor, we know that there is always the possibility for tweaks needed after a production deployment. We suggest eliminating that variable ahead of time.
- Updating the software version of PHP can be managed directly from the VIP Dashboard.
Risk: We have not had time to test the update ahead of the VIP schedule.
VIP is not able to defer this update. We are adhering to the PHP schedule, and keeping your application secure is a top priority. If VIP runs the update without a customer testing first, there is a possibility that your application may run into issues that your team needs to rapidly address.
VIP Timeline for Non-Updated Environments
Monday, October 30, 2023
VIP Updates Non-Production Environments to PHP 8.1
VIP will begin updating all non-production environments that are not yet on PHP 8.1. We are proceeding with non-production environments first in order to provide customers time to address any issues that arise as a result of the update, before updating production.
Monday, November 13, 2023
VIP Updates Production Environments to PHP 8.1
VIP will begin updating all production environments that are not yet on PHP 8.1. After this date, working with your teams on post-update issues will be the priority.
Earlier PHP Version Options Removed
The option to select PHP version 7.4 (deprecated) and 8.0 is removed from the software management tool.
Sunday, November 26, 2023
PHP 8.0 End of Life
Security support for PHP 8.0 ends.
Questions?
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Support team with any questions.
WordPress VIP Lobby 