Magento System Requirements: Updated Guide

• Understanding Magento System Requirements

• Summary

Key Takeaways

• Discover the critical system requirements that impact the performance and security of your Magento website.

• Explore the importance of selecting the right operating system for a stable and secure Magento store.

• Learn how to meet web server prerequisites, including specific versions of Apache and Nginx, for seamless compatibility with Magento.

• Understand the memory requirements to ensure smooth installation and upgrades.

• Explore the database requirements for optimal performance and security.

• Discover hardware recommendations for enhanced scalability in your Magento store, including CPU, RAM, and storage.

Understanding Magento System Requirements

To ensure a smooth installation and optimal performance of Magento Hosting, it is essential to check whether the server meets Magento's requirements. The latest version of Magento, Magento 2.4.6, has specific Magento requirements that must be met to ensure optimal performance and compatibility. Let's take a closer look at the system requirements for Magento, as provided by the Magento Community:

1. Operating system

When setting up a Magento 2 store, carefully selecting the appropriate operating system is crucial. It ensures optimal performance and reliability and forms the core foundation of your Magento security. For a stable and secure setup of Magento 2.4.6, consider using Linux x86-64, such as RedHat Enterprise Linux, CentOS, Ubuntu, or Debian, for server environments.

Alternatively, macOS is a suitable choice if you're working on local development. These choices provide the essential groundwork for establishing a reliable and secure environment for your Magento store.

2. Web server requirements

Magento 2 has specific system requirements to ensure seamless compatibility. Your web server must meet these prerequisites to incorporate the most recent mainline version. Two primary web servers are supported by Magento 2: Apache and Nginx.

For Apache users, it is imperative to have either version 2.2, 2.4, or later installed. It ensures that your Magento 2 installation can function effectively. If you are using Nginx, you should run version 1.8 or later. It ensures the stability and functionality of your Magento platform.

3. Memory requirements

Memory requirements are critical when installing and upgrading Magento. To ensure a smooth and efficient process, allocating sufficient memory is important. When upgrading Magento applications and extensions, it is advisable to have a minimum of 2GB of RAM available. It ensures the upgrade process is carried out effectively.

If your system has less than 2GB of RAM, it becomes necessary to implement a swap file. It prevents potential upgrade failures. Creating a swap file can increase the available memory resources and mitigate the risk of insufficient memory. These memory requirements ensure the system has the resources to handle excess traffic and large Magento catalogs.

4. Database Requirements

In Magento version 2.0, MySQL 5.6 is the minimum requirement for the database structure. It is primarily due to MySQL's popularity as an open-source database commonly used in web applications.

Magento is also compatible with MariaDB and Percona, expanding its adaptability to a broader range of database systems. This adaptability allows developers flexibility in choosing the database system that best suits their needs.

With the release of Magento 2.4.7, the database requirements now mandate MySQL 8.0 or later or MariaDB 10.4 or later. This shift signifies Magento's commitment to keeping up with the latest database technologies and ensuring better performance and security.

Table: Summary of different database requirements for Magento versions:

Magento Version	Database Requirement
Magento 2.4.x	MySQL 8.0
	MariaDB 10.6
Magento 2.3.x	MySQL 5.6, 5.7
Magento 2.2.x	MySQL 5.6, 5.7
Magento 2.1.x	MySQL 5.6
	(For Magento 2.1.2 and higher, use MySQL 5.7)
Magento 2.0.x	MySQL 5.6

5. Supported PHP versions

PHP is a crucial element in Magento's architecture, serving as the scripting language that powers its dynamic features. Magento is compatible with several versions of PHP, including 5.6.x, 5.5.x (with x being 22 or greater).

It includes PHP 8.1 and 8.2. Here are some required PHP settings you must consider:

1. Memory Limit: Set memory_limit to a minimum of 2GB. It ensures Magento can handle complex operations and large datasets effectively.

2. Max Execution Time: Increase max_execution_time for time-consuming tasks. It allows Magento to complete critical operations like importing products or reindexing data without interruptions.

3. Upload Max File Size: Adjust upload_max_filesize to accommodate file sizes (e.g., product images). It enables the smooth handling of product images and downloadable files for an enhanced shopping experience.

PHP Extension requirements

In addition to PHP versions, Magento also relies on various PHP extensions. PHP extensions ensure compatibility with various web servers and database systems. It also enables features like internationalization, secure data transmission, and manipulation. PHP extension requirements include:

• curl
• gd, ImageMagick 6.3.7 or later
• intl
• mbstring
• mcrypt
• mhash
• openssl
• PDO/MySQL
• SimpleXML
• soap
• xml
• xsl
• zip
• json (PHP 7 only)
• iconv (PHP 7 only)

6. Cache system requirements

Here are the cache system requirements for a Magento system:

1. PHP OPcache

PHP OPcache is a bytecode cache engine that stores precompiled script bytecode in shared memory. It eliminates the need for PHP to load and parse scripts on each request, significantly enhancing performance. Many PHP distributions come with OPcache enabled by default.

For example, the OPcache extension is a standard Commerce on Cloud infrastructure component.

2. Redis

Redis is Magento's open-source caching and session backend solution. It supports on-disk data storage and master/slave replication. To ensure compatibility, your system should meet Redis version requirements of at least 5.0 or 6.0 (compatible with 2.4+).

3. Varnish

Varnish acts as a caching HTTP reverse proxy, appearing as a standard server to users. It stores files or fragments of files in memory to reduce response times. It also reduces network bandwidth usage for future requests. For Magento 2.4+, it's advisable to use Varnish version 6.x.

4. Memcached

Memcached is a distributed memory object caching system that serves as a fast backend cache, greatly improving speed. It can be integrated into the Magento system to enhance overall performance.

7. SSL considerations

Secure Sockets Layer is a crucial security layer between a web server and your web browser. It facilitates an encrypted connection that ensures the confidentiality and integrity of data exchanged between the web server and browsers. To implement SSL for your Magento 2 store, certain requirements must be met:

1. A valid SSL certificate is essential for enabling HTTPS.
2. It's important to note that self-signed SSL certificates are not supported.
3. Transport Layer Security (TLS) is a mandatory requirement.

Some supplementary requirements include:

1. Composer 2.2 or a later version is required.

2. Elasticsearch 7.9 or a more recent version is mandatory for use in Magento 2.4.x for search functionality.

Note- Magento no longer supports Elasticsearch versions 2.x, 5.x, and 6.x.

3. Php_xdebug 2.2.0 or a newer version for development purposes.

4. PHPUnit (Optional) 4.1 and later versions are available as a command-line tool. It is used to check vulnerabilities in code, bug tracking, and testing.

5. RabbitMQ 3.8 is also required for certain functionalities. It is also an essential requirement for Magento 2 Enterprise.

8. Hardware requirements

The performance and scalability of your Magento store heavily depend on the hardware specifications of your hosting environment. Here are the recommended hardware requirements for running Magento 2.4.6:

Component	Minimum Requirement	Recommended Requirement
CPU	2 cores (2 GHz each)	4 cores (2 GHz or more each)
RAM	4 GB	8 GB or more
Storage	At least 120 GB SSD	More than 240 GB SSD

It is advisable to consider a dedicated server or a Virtual Private Server (VPS) with specific hardware specifications. It ensures the best possible performance. Shared hosting environments may impose limitations on the available resources for your store. These limitations can lead to slower page loading times and reduced customer satisfaction.

Enhanced performance can also be achieved by separating the web server and database server. This separation involves hosting them on distinct machines. It effectively distributes the workload, improving your website responsiveness.

9. Supported browsers in Magento

1. Microsoft Edge: Magento supports the latest version of Microsoft Edge and the previous major version.

2. Firefox: Magento is compatible with the latest version, regardless of the operating system. It also supports the previous version of Firefox.

3. Chrome: You can use Magento with the latest version of Chrome on any operating system. Additionally, the previous version of Chrome is also supported.

4. Safari: For macOS users, Magento supports the latest major version of Safari. It is important to note that Safari is only supported on macOS.

5. Safari Mobile for iPad: On the iPad, Magento supports Safari Mobile for iPad 2, iPad Mini, and iPad with Retina Display. This support requires iOS 12 or later. It applies to the desktop storefront.

6. Safari Mobile for iPhone: For mobile storefronts, Magento is compatible with Safari Mobile on iPhone 6 or later, provided the device runs iOS 12 or later.

7. Chrome for mobile: On mobile devices, Magento works seamlessly with the latest version of Chrome for Android 4 or later. This support is specifically for the mobile storefront.

10. Mail server requirements

Email servers are critical in facilitating email sending and receiving. It handles email communication and functions such as order confirmations and customer notifications.

1. Mail Transfer Agent (MTA)

MTA is a software designed to transfer emails using a client-server application architecture. It manages the routing and delivery of emails between different servers. It is essential for the reliable and efficient transfer of emails. It ensures that emails are properly routed and delivered to their intended recipients, preventing communication issues.

2. SMTP Server Configuration

Magento allows the configuration of an SMTP server within the system to handle email sending and receiving. This setup ensures that emails generated by the platform are sent via the designated SMTP server. It ensures reliable email delivery. It also helps prevent emails from being marked as spam and provides better control over email communication.

3. SendGrid for Commerce on Cloud

In cases where your Magento 2 store is hosted on a Commerce on Cloud infrastructure, it utilizes the SendGrid email service. SendGrid is a specialized email delivery service.

It enhances email deliverability and provides analytics for tracking email performance. It is useful for gaining insights into email engagement to improve marketing strategies.

11. Technology stack requirements for developers

The technology stack forms the foundation of any software project. A well-chosen technology stack directly impacts Magento's performance and scalability. Some specifics include:

1. Coding Standards

Magento 2 strongly emphasizes adhering to coding standards. Standards, including PSR-0, PSR-1, PSR-2, PSR-3, and PSR-4 (recommended), provide guidelines and best practices for writing clean and consistent code. It helps developers ensure the codebase remains organized, readable, and easier to maintain over time.

2. Framework Utilization

Magento 2 leverages the Zend Framework and Symphony components as part of its framework. It brings stability and proven architectural patterns to the platform. Established frameworks simplify development and enable developers to build robust e-commerce solutions efficiently.

3. Front-end Technologies

The front-end of Magento 2 relies on various technologies, including HTML 5, CSS 3, JQuery, Require JS, Knockout js, and others. It enables the creation of dynamic and responsive user interfaces. HTML 5 and CSS 3 provide the structure and styling, while JavaScript libraries like JQuery and Knockout js enhance interactivity and user experience. Require JS manages dependencies efficiently, ensuring faster loading times for web pages.

FAQ

1. What are the recommended system requirements for Magento 2 Enterprise?

The recommended system requirements for Magento 2 Enterprise include:

• Operating System: Linux-based distributions
• Memory: Minimum 2GB RAM
• Web Server: Apache 2.4 or Nginx 1.x.
• Database: MySQL 5.7 or 8.0, MariaDB 10.4, or Percona.
• PHP: PHP 7.4, 8.0 or latest versions
• Elasticsearch: Elasticsearch 7.x for catalog search.
• SSL Certificate: Highly recommended for security.

Note: Above are general system requirements and it can vary depending various factors including the Magento version.

2. How much RAM should the server have for Magento Hosting?

It is recommended that the server have a minimum of 2GB of RAM. It helps maintain the system's stability and responsiveness when running Magento. It also ensures a seamless user experience for both customers and administrators.

3. Why is choosing the right hosting plan important for a Magento 2 store?

Selecting an appropriate hosting plan influences the performance and scalability of your online store. It ensures that your Magento ecommerce platform operates smoothly and can accommodate growth effectively.

4. Which operating system is the most optimal for Magento 2?

The optimal operating system for Magento 2 is Linux. Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and CentOS distributions are highly recommended. Magento 2 can also function effectively on other Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora.

Summary

Understanding Magento system requirements helps your server, memory, database, and hardware meet Magento specifications. It also optimizes the performance and scalability of your Magento store and helps you stay compliant. We covered the essential system and hosting requirements in Magento. It also provides information on everything from choosing the right operating system to meeting web server and memory prerequisites.

Follow these system requirements to optimize your Magento server and provide a secure shopping experience for your customers.