For Simple Sandbox Pro to fully function the PHP “exec” function must be enabled on your server. This function is sometimes disabled, along with various other PHP functions, through your php.ini file, either directly or through your web host control panel under a section likely titled something along the lines of “PHP Settings”. This “exec” function is used by Simple Sandbox Pro as part of its site backup and restore functionality. So to be able to install and utilize SSP you must ensure that “exec” is enabled.
If it is being disabled through your web host control panel then simply go to your PHP Settings area and locate the section that deals with “disable_functions” or “Disable Functions” or something along those lines. Once you find this option you should be able to locate and delete the part that says “exec”. If there is more than one value in that option then you will see commas separating each function value so be sure to remove both the “exec” text and the comma either to its left or right.
So if you find something like this:
exec,passthru,shell_exec,system
Then you would remove this:
exec,
Or if you find this:
passthru,shell_exec,system,exec
Then you would remove this:
,exec
Or if you find this:
passthru,exec,shell_exec,system
Then you would remove this:
,exec
Or this:
exec,
What If I Have To Make This Change Directly Inside My php.ini File? #
If you are unable to enable the “exec” function through your web host control panel then you will likely need to do this by directly editing your site’s php.ini file using the above instructions to determine what to delete. But instead of finding a “Disable Function” kind of option with a text field to edit, you will find something like this in your php.ini file:
disable_functions = "exec, system"
Just edit that code using the above instructions on how to potentially remove the left or right comma as well, and then save your changes. Note that once you make this change you may need to restart certain processes on your server, but that really depends on your server.
What If I Have No Idea How To Do This? #
This is what web host support is for. 🙂 Just contact your web host support and ask them to ensure that the PHP “exec” function is enabled on your server so you can use a certain web application that requires it to function. They should be able to get you all straightened out.
