cPANEL UPDATE: TailWatch and cPanel VPS Optimized

[Daniel]

We have just gotten this message from cPanel:

==============================================
Greetings,
This week marks some great progress at cPanel and with that progress comes two new and exciting advancements: cPanel VPS Optimized and
TailWatchd.

cPanel VPS Optimized
-------------------------------

cPanel VPS Optimized is a new version of cPanel / WHM specifically designed to run on Virtual Private Servers. cPanel VPS Optimized provides the feature rich functionality of cPanel / WHM while reducing memory usage by up to 60% on VPS instances.

cPanel VPS Optimized represents a great step forward for cPanel customers. The reduction in memory usage for each install allows web hosts the ability to host more domains per virtual machine. This increase enables hosts to provide a more efficient and eco-friendly server base with fewer physical machines.

The upgrade to cPanel VPS optimized will require no interaction. Once cPanel VPS Optimized has reached the build tree on your server, automatic updates ( or manual) will upgrade the current cPanel / WHM installation to a cPanel VPS Optimized installation. cPanel VPS Optimized is currently only in EDGE builds.

Information about cPanel VPS optimized can be found at: http://www.cpanel.net/products/cpvps/


TailWatchd
------------------------------

TailWatchd is a new concept in log processing from cPanel. Previously, three daemons were used to gather information from mail and bandwidth logs (antirelayd, eximstats and cpbandwd). These daemons have been deprecated and replaced with a more robust and more lightweight TailWatchd. The move to this new system will reduce load due to log processing and allows for a more robust interface with the daemon. This daemon with all three log processing drivers uses less memory than just eximstats!

Technical information about TailWatchd can be found at: http://www.cpanel.net/support/articles/tailwatchd.html




Other Updates
--------------------------------

Along with these two new advancements, modifications have been made to the cPanel / WHM product to reduce cpu and memory usage. We hope that you will find these advancements a positive step for your operations. There are many more great steps in the cPanel development path which will enhance your experiences with cPanel products.

To find out more about the future of cPanel products, learn about new features that have appeared recently, or gain more experience working with cPanel products, join us in Houston on June 11-13 at the cPanel Conference (http://conference.cpanel.net).

Thanks again for your continued support. We appreciate your use of cPanel products which allows us to remain an independent and highly dedicated Hosting Automation Solutions Provider.

[mesobob]

The optimized version sounds great, anything that will cut down on cPanel hogging valuable is a good thing in a vps.

What is an Edge build? Is this like a beta release or something?

[PvUtrix]

Build Types
EDGE Edge is the bleeding edge tree. While it has the newest features; It has undergone the least amount of testing (if any). You generally shouldn't run this build unless you need a bug fix or feature in it. Once an equivalent CURRENT or RELEASE build has been released, you should switch away from this.
CURRENT Current builds are more mature than the EDGE builds since they have been tested in a production environment.
RELEASE Release builds are the prefered builds to run. They are generally current enough to have the latest bugfixes and new features, but without the worry of new bugs being introduced.
STABLE Stable builds are for the conservative people who do not wish to run the latest release.

[Fred]

everyone with a production server shouldn't run it for now...

I'll wait a couple of weeks if not a couple of months...

:)

[Daniel]

Build Types
EDGE Edge is the bleeding edge tree. While it has the newest features; It has undergone the least amount of testing (if any). You generally shouldn't run this build unless you need a bug fix or feature in it. Once an equivalent CURRENT or RELEASE build has been released, you should switch away from this.
CURRENT Current builds are more mature than the EDGE builds since they have been tested in a production environment.
RELEASE Release builds are the prefered builds to run. They are generally current enough to have the latest bugfixes and new features, but without the worry of new bugs being introduced.
STABLE Stable builds are for the conservative people who do not wish to run the latest release.
Keep in mind that PowerVPS will NOT support your server if you change to an EDGE/CURRENT build.

We only support the RELEASE and STABLE builds as mentioned at http://www.powervps.com/support.php

[SlAiD]

Daniel,

Have PVPS made some tests to say "its worth a try" or "wait untll the stable version"?
I would like to know your position besites what do you support.



SL

[nimbar]

Hello, I tried this new cPanel version in a test VPS I have elsewhere with great results.

http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showpost.php?p=5047205&postcount=25

But as Daniel said, PowerVPS won't support it so I guess it is better to wait till the stable version. :)

Greetings.

[SlAiD]

Nimber, what kind of decrease in memory usage did you get?



SL

[Zaf]

I hate to upgrade too often, its as if we were on Win platform.
I believe its generally better to wait for at least a week before upgrading even to a Release version. At times they follow another Release build, if the previous one ran in to issues with customers just after the release.

[nimbar]

Hello, I installed it in a small vps I have for testing. Initially I had the release version (no websites there) using around 236MB, after swicth to the edge vps optimized, the vps started to use around 138MB... very nice.

Greetings.

[Daniel]

As a note.. I just got an email stating that this has moved to RELEASE.

[SlAiD]

I've started the install 15 minutes ago and its still "working" but saying 0%... LOL, lets wait and see.


SL

[Daniel]

I tested the update as well and it did take awhile to update, but it ended up working fine.

[KARanden]

How do you install this, or upgrade?

Can't see to find it in WHM where I'm up to version "Release 24739" which is the latest release version as far as I can see.

[SlAiD]

Its goot to go!

And WHM opens very quickly.


A++



SL

[Daniel]

How do you install this, or upgrade?

Can't see to find it in WHM where I'm up to version "Release 24739" which is the latest release version as far as I can see.
Hi there,

I am running WHM 11.23.0 cPanel 11.23.1-R24893 which I just updated this morning.

If you login to WHM navigate to the cPanel section (should be under system health) and click on "Upgrade to Latest Version." I forced the reinstall by checking the checkbox next to it and letting it run.

You may want to ensure that your Update configuration is set to Release (which it looks like it is). If it isn't working for you, feel free to submit a ticket and we'll be happy to look at it for you.

[SlAiD]

hi Daniel,

Since we have more memory to use, will support change/add more memory or tweak at memory leven my.cnf and other services?

I go from 380mb used to 133mb used. Note this is a pick time, so it may be like 100mb used in other hours less busy.



SL

[Daniel]

hi Daniel,

Since we have more memory to use, will support change/add more memory or tweak at memory leven my.cnf and other services?

I go from 380mb used to 133mb used. Note this is a pick time, so it may be like 100mb used in other hours less busy.



SL
If you send in a ticket to re-optimize your services we'll be happy to take a look at what usage is occurring now and tweak the configurations a bit for you.

[vps-vince]

Call me a cinic, but I'll wait for stable version ;)

- Vince

[SlAiD]

Just to let you guys know, they change the html/table to create accounts and edit package, and such.

As a result it have breaks on layout using FireFox. I didnt care to see (or to use) with IE.
But this "form" for creation of an account sucks.



SL

[cPanelDavidG]

Just to let you guys know, they change the html/table to create accounts and edit package, and such.

As a result it have breaks on layout using FireFox. I didnt care to see (or to use) with IE.
But this "form" for creation of an account sucks.



SL

The cPanel design team is unable to confirm these issues using Firefox 2, IE 7 and IE 6 on the Create Accounts and Edit Packages pages. I recommend clearing your browser cache and attempting to reload the page as your browser may be using a cached stylesheet to display the new layout.

[KARanden]

Did the upgrade a couple of days ago, no problems that I have noticed.
Used "Force a reinstall even if the system is update to date." to be sure to get a complete upgrade.
Using "Release" version.

Also nice to see that "RoundCube" is now an option for webmail.

[SlAiD]

The cPanel design team is unable to confirm these issues using Firefox 2, IE 7 and IE 6 on the Create Accounts and Edit Packages pages. I recommend clearing your browser cache and attempting to reload the page as your browser may be using a cached stylesheet to display the new layout.



Hi there.

Are you from cPanel tech/team?

If so, can I PM or post here (choose what do you want) screenshots of what i'm talking about?


SL

[Daniel]

Hi there.

Are you from cPanel tech/team?

If so, can I PM or post here (choose what do you want) screenshots of what i'm talking about?


SL
Hi there,

If you would like, submit a support ticket addressed to me with the screenshots attached and I can send in a ticket to cPanel to have them take a look at it.

[SlAiD]

Hm, strange, now I didnt see the problems on creating or editing a package.

But I notice some weird and out of alignment checkboxes, nothing serious, so I've posted there.
It was sended to ticket BLX-28056-41



Thanks,
SL

[SlAiD]

Sorry, I post two times by mystake.

SL

[cPanelDavidG]

Hi there,

If you would like, submit a support ticket addressed to me with the screenshots attached and I can send in a ticket to cPanel to have them take a look at it.

Agreed, this would be the best route to pursue a resolution.

[SlAiD]

Agreed, this would be the best route to pursue a resolution.

David,

I've allready send it over to Daniel L. on PowerVPS Support.
I think he probably will forward it to you.

What I see now its just a "small" thing, instead of what I've told before. My apologises. but I really saw that a day ago, not sure why isnt showing now.



SL

[cPanelDavidG]

David,

I've allready send it over to Daniel L. on PowerVPS Support.
I think he probably will forward it to you.

What I see now its just a "small" thing, instead of what I've told before. My apologises. but I really saw that a day ago, not sure why isnt showing now.



SL

That's alright :). I have experienced this myself a couple of times and had pretty much the same response, until I realized it was just client-side CSS caching issues. The fact the behavior suddenly changed may be due to the content expiring in the web browser's cache, thus now loading and using the proper CSS.

[ItalicVisions]

Strange but after the update I see no RoundCube also I don't think, allthough it said the update was sucessfull that it acually updated anything.

Before: WHM 11.2.0 cPanel 11.11.0-S16999
After: WHM 11.2.0 cPanel 11.11.0-S16999

I checked the force reinstall box as well.

[Daniel]

Strange but after the update I see no RoundCube also I don't think, allthough it said the update was sucessfull that it acually updated anything.

Before: WHM 11.2.0 cPanel 11.11.0-S16999
After: WHM 11.2.0 cPanel 11.11.0-S16999

I checked the force reinstall box as well.
Hi,

Have you converted your VPS to MailDir? Roundcube requires MailDir and will not show up until you have converted. You can ask Support to check this for you, or you ccan run /scripts/convert2maildir (I am pretty sure that is the script), and it will tell you if you are running mbox or maildir.

Hope that helps!

[Daniel]

Hi,

Have you converted your VPS to MailDir? Roundcube requires MailDir and will not show up until you have converted. You can ask Support to check this for you, or you ccan run /scripts/convert2maildir (I am pretty sure that is the script), and it will tell you if you are running mbox or maildir.

Hope that helps!
Also,

Something I did not even see as I skimmed this the first time... you're running the Stable branch. I do not believe that this has gone to Stable yet. If you go into WHM and change your Update Configuration to use "Release", you will get this upgrade.

[ItalicVisions]

I haven't made amy of the changes you mentioned above allthough after checking WHM and cPanel this morning I found it is now showing up.

[Daniel]

Strange but after the update I see no RoundCube also I don't think, allthough it said the update was sucessfull that it acually updated anything.

Before: WHM 11.2.0 cPanel 11.11.0-S16999
After: WHM 11.2.0 cPanel 11.11.0-S16999

I checked the force reinstall box as well.
That works :). Out of curiosity, what versions are running now on your system (cPanel/WHM)?

[Fred]

Is roundcube requires php5 on the apache webserver or does cpanel/wh webserver as his own php 5 ?

[Daniel]

Is roundcube requires php5 on the apache webserver or does cpanel/wh webserver as his own php 5 ?
Hi Fred,

cPanel uses it's own internal PHP. I was looking at the scripts and it appears that it is installing PHP5 internally. This doesn't reflect what Apache is compiled to use.

[Daniel]

Just as an update... cPanel has just announced that 11.23 will be placed into the STABLE branch at 1AM EST.

The notice:

cPanel 11.23 STABLE is being released tonight 12:00AM CST to bring all of the cPanel / WHM branches to the 11.23 series.

This latest STABLE release incorporates a number of recently announced features including RoundCube webmail, SPF, Domain Keys, improved transfers, improved installs, SSL expiration warnings, and proxy subdomains which allow for users to access cPanel, webmail and WHM over port 80. STABLE also gets the much anticipated VPS Optimized and tailwatch features which reduce memory usage on all servers but especially on VPS systems. Other new features are also added such as mail filtering where users can now take advantage of a graphical folder selector for easy filter creation.

More information about the specific changes to the latest STABLE can be found at http://changelog.cpanel.net/. Notable 11.23 features are described in the following blog post: http://blog.cpanel.net/?p=51

[nimbar]

Hi, I just installed that stable vps version. Really good, however if you have custom acls for exim, keep a backup of the settings, as you will need to re-apply them manually (version 4.9).

Greetings.

[vps-vince]

Hi, I just installed that stable vps version. Really good, however if you have custom acls for exim, keep a backup of the settings, as you will need to re-apply them manually (version 4.9).

Greetings.

Interesting.
What is the best way to backup the custom ACL's please?
Thanks,

- Vince

[nimbar]

Hi Vince, before update to stable vps optimiced version, go to WHM > Service configuration > Exim configuration once there go to advanced editor and copy the acl settings, then paste it in a txt document in your computer.

Now update cPanel. Once updated you will receive some emails:

cPanel was unable to automatically merge your Exim configuration with the new settings that shipped with the build you have installed (11.23.3-STABLE_25959) because you have a custom ACL configuration which cannot be automatically configured.

To avoid any mail downtime, we thought it was best to leave your previous configuration intact BLABLABLA

Go again to WHM > Service configuration > Exim configuration, now select reset all acl to default. Wait and go again to the advanced editor, paste the previous settings you saved on your pc.

You are all set!.

Hope this helps... :)

[ricardo]

I can see at cPanel the option to "optimized" with 3 posibles values: none, all or based on mime.

What must we config ?

It's OK to config it for all our sites ?
How can we do this (I dont want to enter to each cPanel account).

Can we have any problem with this or we must wait more time ?

[vps-vince]

I can see at cPanel the option to "optimized" with 3 posibles values: none, all or based on mime.


Where are you seeing these options?

- Vince

[ricardo]

These options are at cPanel , Advanced Options, Optimize Website

There you have a screen with this text:

Optimize the performance of your website by tweaking the way Apache handles requests.

Compress Content
Apache 2.0 and 2.2 allow you to compress content before sending it to the vistor's browser. The types of content to be compressed are specified by MIME type. This feature requires Apache's mod_deflate to function correctly.

- Disabled
- Compress all content
- Compress the specified MIME types: "text/html text/plain text/xml"


Shure you cant see it if you dont have Apache 2.0 or up

[vps-vince]

I see. Must be because I'm not yet using Apache 2.x

Thanks,

- Vince