Modify php.ini through SSH for Plesk

I recently ordered a VPS and began to customize it. Unfortunately, I'm not a linux expert (or geek for that matter) so some of what I needed to do didn't come natural to me.

Like altering the php.ini file. Through SSH command line. Thingy.

But through the power of Google and my sheer determination to do this myself, I managed to increase my VPS' memory limit! (Drupal just won't work well at 8M.) And here's how I did it.

(Some notes: I did this through Apple's Terminal utility, logged into ssh mode to my server as root. Plesk keeps the php.ini file in the /etc/ folder, and nano wouldn't work, so I used vi )

First, I typed this is:
cd /etc/
Then I opened up the vi editor with:
vi php.ini

At this point you're seeing half a screen of text (the top of the php.ini file.) You MUST read the Basic vi Commands Page if you don't know what you're doing. I actually found it to be extremely helpful and not too intimidating after a bit of practice. Command b and Command f will go through the pages, and the other commands are pretty intuitive.

Follow the instructions from the Basic vi Commands webpage to alter the php.ini file. (Read the sections on deleting and changing text.)

When you've made the changes type in
:w < Hit Return >
to save (write) the changes then
:q < Hit Return >
to quit.

Restart Apache
service httpd restart
and your changes should be live.

I know, this stuff is pretty basic for a lot of people, but I was just thrilled I did it! And if I can do it... well...

Sources:
I discovered the two lines to get into vi here.
The Basic vi Commands.
Restart Apache.

Comments

Magpie Coffeehouse's picture

Sounds complex!

david's picture

not really. Just takes a few minutes of getting the hand of navigating through the page. One you learn the keyboard commands (and page down to where you want to go) it's pretty easy.

Demy's picture

Thank you David!
With few simple lines and a couple of links, you saved me! smiley

Hi,
If you are wanting to use nano, type
yum install nano

(if you are using CentOS or something like that) or

apt-get install nano
(if you are using Debian based OS)

That'll install nano for you and make life much easier smiley

Anonymous's picture

my server runs cPanel...should it be the same?

When I go to my /etc folder, there is no php.ini file there....should there be?

david's picture

I don't think so. cPanel and Plesk use different structures. Maybe in the /conf/ file ?

Anonymous's picture

with cPanel it will be in /usr/local/lib/php.ini

so if you wanted to edit:

yum install nano ( say yes if prompted )
nano -w /usr/local/lib/php.ini
ctrl+x to save

Felix's picture

Sound really complex smiley

david's picture

it is complex. But doable with a little thinking.

Picchio's picture

Very helpful! thx

fax from computer's picture

I have thought about moving to drupal but I am not very computer literate. So it looks very complicated.

Clyde's picture

Thank for this - the whole modification of php.ini process was completely scary and very cool.

Change of Address's picture

I congratulate you for creating this! As a fellow linux "non-expert," I recognize how scary changing some of these things can be. My hat is off to you for trying, succeeding, and sharing! smiley

Moving's picture

Did this require moving any other files, or was it just editing this one? One suggestion I would offer is to keep two subdirectories: \test and \master. I put draft scripts in \test, and the last version that worked in \master. That way I can keep my test scripts from getting confused with live versions, and keep a backup of the last script that worked in case I mess something up and need to restore the last master.

bukmacher's picture

changing php.ini through command line is very difficult to me too, i had many problems but finally i have success, lesson learned smiley

Wilbert's picture

Yes, changing php.ini is indeed a hassle when done through command line. I tried Movings's suggestion to to keep the two sub-directories and worked ok.

christophe's picture

Tnaks for that article. I changed this file with no difficult.

PotBelly pigs's picture

thanks for this guide , its very helpfull.

Kojak's picture

Thanks for this. this is exactly what i am looking for!

Hello, thanks for this guide, just what I needed to modify the php.ini!

Film gratis's picture

Thanks, you saved my ass today.
I've got a vps at linode and they are meant for true geeks eheh

Feuerspucker's picture

Great thanks und a happy new year - Good Tip - very nice!

Kinder's picture

Is there not a newer editor as vi? Someone told me something about vi+, could it be? By the way: I use WinSCP to edit configuration files. Thanks for your post.

Sondora@aionfr's picture

Will try it out but don't think I will be able to do this

Indonesia Java international destination's picture

thank you for the advice in this post I really like the tutorial you
may be able to add my knowledge
I'm trying to let alone in the international destination java Indonesia

Jon's picture

it sounds like something i would definately mess uo trying to do, smiley

this was a good read. sounds a bit complex to me (noob) but i learned something today from you. thanks a lot for the share! cheers

Mr.Doors's picture

Thank for sharing. My site error about php.ini.

Thank so much.

Kneipp's picture

thank you for the advice in this post I really like the tutorial you
may be able to add my knowledge
I'm trying to let alone in the international destination java Indonesia

iPhone Apps's picture

Hey Nano,

i have tried this "apt-get install nano" but it results in an error. Did you know anything about getting error?

Thanks for your help!

Adminz's picture

I was looking for this for a while now, thanks a lot of helping us out !

Melindaa's picture

try sudo apt-get install nano instead smiley

้เกมส์'s picture

Thank for sharing.

Thanks for your help!

Camisetas's picture

I started with a VPS not knowing what SSH was, and through your article I plodded my way through the setup, which was about three weeks or so...A year later and now I have a dedicated server that I just populated...and I am Still referring to your article....thanks so much

Scalesmart's picture

Thanks for the guide, I used it to try and fix my magento install, but its still broken so mut be a firewall issue. Your guide was clear and concise though, thanks!

But after you learn it it becomes a simple task in your work... With the help of the Internet everyone can now learn what ever they like... You really made a great guide and it's so simple to follow and implement. Thanks

digital piano's picture

Everything on the net requires a learning curve

Thank for this - the whole modification of php.ini process was completely scary and very cool.

Google Sniper Dan's picture

Thanks so much for this article it is excellent! I didn't know how to modify PHP.ini using SSH. I still have a lot to learn but this will help a lot in my web development.

Google Sniper's picture

thanks this is very helpful!

PC help's picture

Thank you. This tutorial is really helpful. Thank you.

boise blinds's picture

Thanks for the tips on using SSH with Plesk. VPNs can sometimes be confusing but changing the files can be done using a TXT editor just using the file manager inside of Bluehost or your specific hosting company. It's pretty easy these days especially when you find great tutorials like this one.

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