Check If Your Server Can Run Magento

What is Magento?

Magento is a popular tool for building online shops. It is a big program, so it needs a strong server with the right software. If something is missing, the install fails or the shop runs badly.

What Magento usually needs

The exact versions depend on the Magento release. Always read the system requirements page for your version on the Magento website. In general it needs:

• A Linux server with Apache or Nginx.
• PHP, a supported version, with extra parts called extensions such as curl, gd, intl, mbstring, soap, xml, zip and bcmath.
• MySQL or MariaDB for the database.
• Enough memory. A memory limit of at least 2 GB is commonly asked for.
• A search engine such as Elasticsearch or OpenSearch in newer versions.
• SSH access and Composer, a tool that downloads PHP parts.

Steps to check

1. Create a phpinfo page. It is a small page that prints your PHP settings. Create a file named info.php in public_html with this text:

   <?php phpinfo(); ?>

2. Open https://yourdomain.com/info.php in your browser.
3. Note the PHP version at the top.
4. Use your browser's find feature (Ctrl+F) to look for each extension name from the list above.
5. Look for memory_limit and check the value.
6. If you have SSH, run this to list extensions:

   php -m

   It prints every PHP extension that is loaded.
7. Check the database version in phpMyAdmin. It shows on the home page.
8. Delete info.php when you finish. Leaving it online shows private details.

If something is missing

• Look for Select PHP Version or MultiPHP Manager in your control panel to change the PHP version or turn on extensions.
• For things you cannot change, such as Elasticsearch, ask Hostvento support whether your plan supports them. A VPS or dedicated server gives more freedom.

Quick recap

• Read the requirements for your Magento version.
• Use a phpinfo page or php -m to check PHP and extensions.
• Check memory and the database version.
• Delete the phpinfo file afterwards.
• Ask support about anything you cannot change.