How to Switch from LiteSpeed to Apache on WHM

Learn how to switch from LiteSpeed to Apache on WHM. Our Litespeed Support team is here to answer the queries and concerns.

How to Switch from LiteSpeed to Apache on WHM

When it comes to web servers, Apache and LiteSpeed are two of the most widely used options. Both are capable, reliable, and offer excellent performance in their own ways. They handle web requests, execute server-side scripts, and generate the HTML content the users see in their browsers. However, due to its long history, wide compatibility, and extensive documentation, Apache remains the go-to choice for many system administrators.

If we are currently running LiteSpeed on the server via WHM (Web Host Manager) and wish to switch back to Apache, the process is surprisingly simple. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of switching to Apache using WHM’s graphical user interface (GUI) and the command line.

Why Switch to Apache?

There could be several reasons for preferring Apache over LiteSpeed:

• More familiar with Apache’s configuration.
• Using software or modules that are better supported on Apache.
• To avoid LiteSpeed’s licensing costs.
• Troubleshooting and want to revert to a more standard setup.

Whatever the reason, WHM makes the switch quick and reversible.

Switching to Apache via WHM

WHM includes a built-in plugin that makes switching from LiteSpeed to Apache a one-click operation.

1. First, log in to WHM.
2. From the sidebar, go to Plugins.
3. Then, click on LiteSpeed Web Server to open its management interface.
4. In the “Switch between Apache and LiteSpeed” section, click the “Switch to Apache” button.
5. Now, we will go to a confirmation screen. Click “Switch to Apache” again to proceed.
   This will stop the LiteSpeed service and start Apache. It may take a minute or two for LiteSpeed to shut down completely and for Apache to start.
6. Once the switch is complete, Apache will be the active web server.
7. If needed, we can cancel the switch while the process is running by clicking the “Cancel” button at the bottom of the screen.

Switching via Command Line

LiteSpeed provides a shell script that makes server switching just as easy.

To switch from LiteSpeed to Apache, log in as root and run:

/usr/local/lsws/admin/misc/cp_switch_ws.sh apache

To switch back to LiteSpeed, run:

/usr/local/lsws/admin/misc/cp_switch_ws.sh lsws

Restarting Apache in WHM

After switching, we may want to restart Apache to ensure everything is running smoothly.

1. First, log in to WHM.
2. In the sidebar, go to Restart Services.
3. Then, click HTTP Server (Apache).
4. Now, confirm by clicking Yes when prompted.
5. WHM will show a loading screen while the restart is in progress.
6. We will receive a confirmation message once Apache has restarted successfully.

[Need assistance with a different issue? Our team is available 24/7.]

Conclusion

Switching from LiteSpeed to Apache in WHM is a straightforward process that gives us the flexibility to choose the web server that best suits our requirements.

In brief, our Support Experts demonstrated how to switch from LiteSpeed to Apache on WHM.