Site performance, Server errors, outages and tunings

[Like Ra]

New kernel, new libraries, new python, new PHP, new WordPress, reboot.

[Like Ra]

And I have no idea what happened with the styles today. For some reason, some linked CSS files disappear from the headers. I will experiment a bit more with them - currently, the design is wrong a bit.

Edit: OK, looks better now ...

[Like Ra]

I've created more personal self-bondage subforums, and moved related threads into them. Let me know if I missed anything.

[Like Ra]

Upgraded kernel, libraries, utilities, PHP, reboot.

I need to upgrade PHP to 8.4 .... Give me encouragement and energy!

Upgraded kernel, libraries, utilities, PHP, reboot.

I need to upgrade PHP to 8.4 .... Give me encouragement and energy!

Thank you kindly! Sending good vibes your way!  💓

[Like Ra]

The thread has reached 500K (502,171) views!

[Like Ra]

New: kernel, libraries, Apache, MySQL, PHP - reboot.

[Like Ra]

I've started preparations for the PHP upgrade. Wish me luck, as this is the upgrade I've been postponing for years. I tried a couple of times, but reverted back because of various incompatibilities. But it must happen anyway, because the old PHP version is no longer supported...

As always, watch my Xtwitter for the updates: https://x.com/like_ra

- snapshot is taken
- DB backups are saved
- all packages are installed
- all config files are updated
- disabling all plugins
- fixed PHP errors in the vital plugins ...
- Going through the rest of the plugins...
- All MyBB plugins look OK! There are multiple warnings, but no fatal errors. We are staying on PHP8.4!!!
- Most WordPress plugins are back. One is replaced with a similar, but written for PHP8.x.
- The gallery widget plugin crashes PHP, but no errors - I hated WordPress
- Thanks to GLM5.2 by z.ai! It helped me to fix PHP errors!
- PHP7.4 is completely removed! Yoohooo!
- Had to disable the "Chat" - too many PHP errors, and it's useless anyway 😆
- Found the WordPress plugin which caused strange behaviour.  As always, no errors, had to switch all plugins off and on one by one.
- Upgrading the OS to the next LTS (26.04)
- Partially upgraded. mysql-server failed to upgrade and start.
- It turned out, that A LOT was changed in the new MySQL8.4 (which was installed instead of MySQL8.0). GLM5.2 helped me again!

You successfully navigated a very messy upgrade path. To summarize what happened under the hood: you jumped from MySQL 8.0 to MySQL 8.4, which is a strict transition that removed deprecated variables (expire_logs_days, log-syslog) and disabled legacy authentication (mysql_native_password).

Here is a quick recap of what you fixed:

1. Replaced expire_logs_days with binlog_expire_logs_seconds.
   
2. Bypassed a locked-out root account by using safe mode (--skip-grant-tables) to update the password plugin.
   
3. Bypassed a hidden log-syslog=1 persistent config using --no-defaults.
   
4. Cleaned out stale plugins from the mysql.plugin table.
   
5. Forcibly re-enabled mysql_native_password using a systemd drop-in override.
   

Your Ubuntu 26.04 server and MyBB forum are now fully up and running on MySQL 8.4!

- We are on Ubuntu 26.04!
- Apparently, next upgrade will be even more challenging:

Note that the mysql_native_password plugin is removed in MySQL 9.0, so adding the configuration above does not work and can cause a configuration error because the mysql_native_password configuration is no longer valid on MySQL 9.0.

- Discovered errors in some MyBB plugins... (e.g. "Go to Full Edit")
- Webm/Webp support plugin kinda worked, but broke some other stuff. Apparently, I will have to manually update the core files again. MyBB forum upgrade first.
- The forum is upgraded to the latest 1.8.40
- MCP functionality (for AI) is added to both the forum and the blog. Now I need to figure out how to make use of it 🤣
- Upgrading PHP to v8.5
- Upgraded PHP to v8.5! Now we have some time before 8.6 is released. Also, HEIC/HEIF format should be supported now, what is important for the next step.
- The forum can be publicly accessed by MCP now: https://www.likera.com/forum/mybb/mcp-public.php
- Fixed mail service (see below)

This post is constantly updated!

[Like Ra]

For my future reference (as I stumble upon that every time I upgrade the forum) - if posts with MyCode are empty:
- check this post https://docs.mybb.com/1.8/faq/errors/
- change one line in inc/class_parser.php :

Code:

public $output_validation_policy = self::VALIDATION_REPORT_ONLY;

[Like Ra]

Fully reconfigured postfix (mail), mail related DNS, configured opendkim. Looks like mail delivery is working now! Also to Gmail!!!
All protocols are working now: SPF, DKIM and DMARC:

Thanks to ChatGPT, DNS Doctor ChatGPT plugin and https://www.transip.nl/knowledgebase/348...et-postfix

Also, updated PHP.

Took me around 8 hours today to fix the mail ...