[Case 46640] Zend Guard Loader for PHP 5.3

[dexus]

Zend Optimizer is available for php 5.3, but still no support in EasyApache...

Zend Guard System Requirements - Zend.com

Will this be added to EasyApache soon?

[guruh]

i agree, i would like add little bit one more : ioncube loader and also fast cgi option. i hope this is available in the next version

[Reado]

Zend Optimizer appears in EA3 for PHP 5.3, but only if you select certain PHP options. It's a bug that cPanel have been "looking at" for over a week now...

[boonjackmedia]

Zend Guard is available for PHP 5.3, but Zend Optimizer is still only available for PHP 5.2.

Besides a PHP script will need to be encoded using PHP 5.3 for Zend Guard to work, and most companies haven't completed the upgrades yet form PHP 5.2.

Ioncube supports PHP 5.3 now (WHMCS uses Ioncube loaders), so I'll bet most companies will get it completed soon.

[rachweb]

Zend Guard is available for PHP 5.3, but Zend Optimizer is still only available for PHP 5.2.

Zend has renamed optimizer to Guard loaders. You need Zend Guard loaders for PHP 5.3

[dexus]

It does exist, it just changed the name to "Zend Guard Loader"...

Zend Guard/Optimizer Downloads - Zend.com

I installed it manualy and it's working, I just hate doing that manually, when we have EasyApache...

[boonjackmedia]

I haven't heard that. From what I understand Zend Optimizer is only available for PHP 5.2.

Here's the scoop straight from Zend Guard docs...

What Optimizer and PHP version should I use?
Make sure to use the correct Optimizer and PHP versions as follows:

• Zend Guard 5.x with PHP 5.X requires Zend Optimizer 3.3.x and above
• PHP Compatibility: supported PHP versions: 5.0.x through 5.3.x

And...

2. Known issues and Limitations
================================

General:
--------
* Encoding/obfuscation for PHP 5.3 is not compatible with PHP 5.2 and
earlier releases, and vice versa. That is, a file encoded to run on PHP 5.3
will not be loaded on PHP 5.2 and vice versa.
Workaround: Encode your application separately to run on PHP 5.3 and PHP 5.2.

So basically unless the PHP script has BOTH PHP 5.2 and 5.3 encoding it does no good install Zend Guard and Optimizer together.

[Sac_Web_Design]

I haven't heard that. From what I understand Zend Optimizer is only available for PHP 5.2.

Here's the scoop straight from Zend Guard docs...

What Optimizer and PHP version should I use?
Make sure to use the correct Optimizer and PHP versions as follows:

• Zend Guard 5.x with PHP 5.X requires Zend Optimizer 3.3.x and above
• PHP Compatibility: supported PHP versions: 5.0.x through 5.3.x

And...

2. Known issues and Limitations
================================

General:
--------
* Encoding/obfuscation for PHP 5.3 is not compatible with PHP 5.2 and
earlier releases, and vice versa. That is, a file encoded to run on PHP 5.3
will not be loaded on PHP 5.2 and vice versa.
Workaround: Encode your application separately to run on PHP 5.3 and PHP 5.2.

So basically unless the PHP script has BOTH PHP 5.2 and 5.3 encoding it does no good install Zend Guard and Optimizer together.

That's what I had thought also. Searched all over the web and found out the same information. But all in all it works for me on php 5.2

[Snowman30]

we have had to hold off upgrading servers to php 5.3 because of this, after we came across this issue with one upgrade

can we please get this added to easyapache

[cPanelDavidG]

we have had to hold off upgrading servers to php 5.3 because of this, after we came across this issue with one upgrade

can we please get this added to easyapache

Looking at the manufacturer website, there doesn't seem to be such a thing as "Zend Optimizer" for PHP 5.3. See for yourself at:

Zend Guard/Optimizer Downloads - Zend.com

Can everyone please clarify what you want? Is it that instead of "Zend Optimizer for PHP 5.3" which does not exist, do you all mean "Zend Guard Loader (Runtime for PHP 5.3)?"

[dexus]

Looking at the manufacturer website, there doesn't seem to be such a thing as "Zend Optimizer" for PHP 5.3. See for yourself at:

Zend Guard/Optimizer Downloads - Zend.com

Can everyone please clarify what you want? Is it that instead of "Zend Optimizer for PHP 5.3" which does not exist, do you all mean "Zend Guard Loader (Runtime for PHP 5.3)?"

As I mentioned before... it just changed the name to "Zend Guard Loader"... So, yes that's it...

[cPanelDavidG]

Zend has renamed optimizer to Guard loaders. You need Zend Guard loaders for PHP 5.3

It does exist, it just changed the name to "Zend Guard Loader"...

Zend Guard/Optimizer Downloads - Zend.com

I installed it manualy and it's working, I just hate doing that manually, when we have EasyApache...

Zend Guard Loader is not an opcode accelerator like Zend Optimizer+ though, based on the data provided at Runtime Decoders for Zend Guard - Zend.com

Zend Guard Loader would allow you to run applications encoded by Zend Guard, but offers no opcode acceleration (at least according to the information I am able to locate on Zend.com).

[Snowman30]

Yes we need the Zend Guard Loader support added to easy apache which replaces optimizer for php 5.3.+

[dexus]

Zend Guard Loader is not an opcode accelerator like Zend Optimizer+ though, based on the data provided at Runtime Decoders for Zend Guard - Zend.com

Zend Guard Loader would allow you to run applications encoded by Zend Guard, but offers no opcode acceleration (at least according to the information I am able to locate on Zend.com).

I don't think that is really a difference, what you saw there for opcode acceleration is "Zend Optimizer+", which is again something different, its just not totaly clear on their web site... Anyway "Zend Guard Loader" is replaceing old "Zend Optimizer", since PHP 5.3 and it's loading zend encoded files like the old "Zend Optimizer" does, and that's what we need here.

[cPanelDavidG]

Okay, I think I have an understanding of what is desired now, but please read this report for accuracy and completeness before I submit it to our developers

Call for Comments

Many that use cPanel&WHM use Zend encoded applications. Up through PHP 5.2, Zend Optimizer was used as a means of running these encoded applications. With PHP 5.3, Zend Guard Loader has taken the place of Zend Optimizer for running Zend encoded applications. As a result, it is desired that EasyApache accommodate Zend Guard Loader for PHP 5.3 and later like it accommodates Zend Optimizer for PHP 5.2.

Opcode caching and optimization are not the concerns for this feature request, the reason for this request is to provide an ability to run Zend encoded applications under PHP 5.3 in cPanel&WHM environments.