5 replies to this topic

[dMullins]

We have been working with a developer for a while for a client's e-commerce website. Recently, we have been tasked with integration real-time shipping methods into the store via the FedEx API for the sake of being able to print shipping labels automatically. Our developer was able to integrate the FedEx API via the shopping cart system very easily (Pinnacle Cart, which provides turnkey support for FedEx, UPS, et al.).

The problem is the label printing. Getting the API to talk to the server correctly has been a pain because the server PHP version is 4.39, on non-Red Hat 5. Currently, he has tried using SOAP (introduced in PHP4, non-existent in PHP4.X. He's used PEAR to get SOAP working somehow, but retro-fitting it does not seem to work either.

At this point, we are in an incredible bind because the client is fuming mad, and rather than impart that on the developer I've been trying to stay positive and encouraging. At this point though, we have no other options except to migrate to a new server, upgrade to the Red Hat 5/PHP5 on that server, reinstall the shopping cart, and then re-upload the databases and files. That is unfortunately not an immediate option.

Does anyone have any experience with this? We are at a loss for a solution right now, and I desperately need to get this figured out, whatever it takes. Losing this account at our agency could be a huge financial setback for us.

Sorry for the lengthy message—I was trying to get as much detail out there as possible.

[Orjan]

ouch, and there is no possibility to just upgrade your php on the server either?

[dMullins]

Not at the moment. We are probably going to have to do that at some point in the near future, but we are also hoping for some other short-term solution to this. :confused:

[Orjan]

But what stops you from upgrading the php? other scripts? no access to the server to do it? is it in-house/VPS , or shared hosting or?

[Feral]

I'm wondering the same as Orjan, upgrading to php 5 would be the simplest and fastest solution. There should be no need to upgrade redhat when upgrading php. Even on a shared server it should only take a call to customer support to get your account set to php 5. If you are on a Dedicated server or VPS then you dev should be able to handle upgrading php for you.

If there are scripts running on the server that are not php 5 compatible it might even be faster for the dev to upgrade those scripts then try and hack the api together.

[Orjan]

Additionally, I've understood that there is possible to run php4 and php5 at the same time on the same machine. but if so, you need to specify a new extension to one of the file types... like php4 or php5 for one of the files and .php for the other one.