Install the mbstring PHP Extension with EasyApache 3

When configuring a website to work with different languages on a Linux server, the mbstring extension will need to be installed on the server for the website functionality to work. The mbstring extension is what php uses to parse different language encoding’s. This article will explain how to install the mbstring extension through shell.

Checking for the mbstring through shell

Check your server for the mbstring extension through Linux Command line. Running the following command will display the mbstring information on your server.

If the results show nothing, then the mbstring is not installed on the server. The next section will explain how to install the mbstring extension through shell with Root access.

Steps to install the mbstring extension

The mbstring extension can be installed through shell by using Easy Apache. The following steps will explain how to install mbstring through Easy Apache.

Important! This is for Virtual Private Servers or Dedicated server with ROOT ACCESS. If you do not have root access, you will need to have support install the mbstring extension for you.

1. Shell (SSH) into the server.
2. Start a screen session by typing the following.
   root@vps#### [~]# screen -S screenname

   

   You can check the screen by typing the following.

   root@vps#### [~]# screen -ls
There is a Screen on:
22342.upgrade (Attached)
1 Socket in /var/run/screen/S-root

   The screen session will allow the server to run in the background. This is to prevent the process from being interupted during the recompile process. If the window is closed, The process can still be found on the server. Otherwise, the process will be killed which could break the server.

3. 

   Type the path for Easy Apache.

   root@vps#### [~]# /scripts/easyapache

   

   When you get the “cPanel update available” box saying “would you like to update now,” select No and hit Enter.

4. 

   Select Start customizing based on profile and hit Enter.

5. 

   On the “Please choose which apache to build screen,” leave the selected build.

   Select Next step and hit Enter.

6. 

   Leave the selected php version on the “Please choose which specific PHP version (s) to build” screen.

   Select Next Step and hit Enter.

7. 

   The “Short Options List”will appear.

   Select “Exhaustive options list” and hit Enter.

8. 

   Page down till you see the Mbstring extension listed.

   Arrow down to the Mbstring extension and hit the space bar to select the Mbstring.

   Select Next Step and hit enter.

9. 

   Now the server will ask “What do you want to do now?”

   !! EXTREMELY IMPORTANT !! IF YOU ARE NOT IN A SCREEN SESSION. DO NOT INTERUPT THE SERVER PROCESS. Interrupting the server process will break the server and will require systems support to fix the apache configuration. If you are not comfortable continuing, please contact support and we can do this for no charge.

   Select Save and Build and hit enter.

10. 

    In the Confirm build screen, Select Yes and hit Enter.

11. 

    Easy Apache will finally ask to Please acknowledge.

    Select “I Understand” and hit Enter.

    Apache and PHP will now rebuild. Wait for the process to finish. The process time can vary; however, typically it should take ~10 to 30 minutes. Once the process is finished, check your phpinfo. You should see the Mbstring extension in the phpinfo now.