Server & Hosting
Tech News
10 years of server and web hosting news — Linux releases, security vulnerabilities, control panel updates, PHP releases and web server news from 2016 to 2025.
PHP 8.1 Alpha — Enums and Fibers Preview
PHP 8.1 alpha showcases enums, fibers for async programming, readonly properties and array_is_list() — a major feature release approaching.
OVHcloud Data Centre Fire — Backup Lessons for Server Admins
The OVHcloud data centre fire destroyed SBG2 and partially damaged SBG1 — thousands of sites went offline permanently due to inadequate backups.
AlmaLinux 8.3 Released — First Stable Build
AlmaLinux 8.3 stable releases as a 1:1 RHEL 8.3 binary-compatible replacement for CentOS — the community's answer to the CentOS EOL announcement.
MariaDB 10.5 Released — Improved Performance and Features
MariaDB 10.5 brings improved InnoDB performance, ColumnStore storage engine updates and enhanced Galera Cluster support.
WordPress 5.7 Released — One-Click HTTP to HTTPS
WordPress 5.7 introduces one-click HTTP to HTTPS migration and lazy loading iframes — server admins should ensure SSL is properly configured.
Cloudflare Launches WARP VPN Service
Cloudflare WARP launches as a privacy-focused VPN built on WireGuard protocol — using Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 DNS resolver for speed.
Rocky Linux Announced by CentOS Founder
CentOS founder Gregory Kurtzer announces Rocky Linux — a community-driven RHEL-compatible distribution to replace the original CentOS Linux.
PHP 8.0 Released — Named Arguments and Match Expression
PHP 8.0 officially releases with named arguments, match expressions, nullsafe operator, attributes and the JIT compiler — the biggest PHP release ever.
Nginx 1.19 Released — Dynamic DNS Resolution
Nginx 1.19 brings dynamic DNS resolution in upstream blocks — servers can now resolve backend hostnames at request time rather than startup.
AlmaLinux Announced as CentOS Alternative
CloudLinux announces AlmaLinux as a free, community-driven, RHEL-compatible replacement for CentOS — backed by $1M annual funding.
CentOS Project Shifts to CentOS Stream — Community Reacts
Red Hat announces CentOS Linux will end in 2021, replaced by CentOS Stream — the community responds with AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux alternatives.
PHP 8.0 Alpha — JIT Compiler Preview
PHP 8.0 alpha releases with the JIT compiler delivering up to 3x performance improvements for compute-intensive applications.
Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Released — Focal Fossa for Production
Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Focal Fossa arrives with kernel 5.4, improved ZFS support, Wireguard built-in and nftables replacing iptables.
COVID-19 Traffic Surge — How Servers Handled the Load
As global internet traffic surged 40% during lockdowns, this analysis covers how major platforms scaled and what server admins can learn.
CloudPanel 1.0 Released — Free Modern Server Control Panel
CloudPanel launches as a free Nginx-based server control panel — faster than cPanel, modern UI, and completely free including for commercial use.
MariaDB 10.4 Released — Improved Authentication
MariaDB 10.4 introduces a new authentication plugin architecture, instant ADD COLUMN and improved InnoDB performance.
Plesk Obsidian Released — New Generation Control Panel
Plesk Obsidian officially launches with Docker and Kubernetes management, improved WordPress toolkit and a redesigned interface.
Red Hat Acquires CoreOS — Container Linux Future
Red Hat's CoreOS acquisition reshapes the container Linux landscape — CoreOS Container Linux reaches end of life, Fedora CoreOS takes over.
CentOS 8 Released — DNF Package Manager
CentOS 8 arrives with the DNF package manager, AppStream module system, Cockpit web console and kernel 4.18.
MySQL 8.0 GA — Window Functions and JSON Improvements
MySQL 8.0 reaches GA with window functions, improved JSON, invisible indexes and a new data dictionary — the biggest MySQL release in years.