Now that MariaDB is on your IBM i Power System, we are one step closer to installing wordpress. But, before that we need to choose a PHP Server which will power WordPress to the Cloud:
WordPress needs a PHP server because PHP is the language that runs WordPress. Every action WordPress performs, loading a page, saving a post, checking a login, talking to the database, is executed by PHP code on the server.
- Without PHP, WordPress is just a folder full of text files.
- Without PHP, PHP applications, including WordPress, custom web apps, APIs, dashboards, and admin tools cannot execute at all.
- PHP is the communications layer between WordPress and the underlying IBM i Database
What PHP actually does for WordPress
PHP is the engine that turns WordPress’s files into a working website. When someone visits your site:
- The web server (Apache or Nginx) receives the request.
- It hands the request to PHP.
- PHP executes WordPress’s code (
index.php, themes, plugins). - PHP queries the database (MySQL/MariaDB).
- PHP assembles the HTML page.
- The server sends that HTML back to the visitor’s browser.
Without PHP, none of this logic runs. You’d see raw code instead of a website.
Why WordPress specifically requires PHP
WordPress is built entirely in PHP:
- Core WordPress files are PHP scripts.
- Themes are mostly PHP templates.
- Plugins are PHP modules.
- The WordPress admin dashboard is a PHP application.
Even the famous wp-config.php file is a PHP script that defines database settings and security keys.
PHP isn’t optional - it’s the runtime environment WordPress is written for.
How PHP interacts with the database
PHP is the layer that connects WordPress to MySQL/MariaDB. It:
Opens the database connection
Sends SQL queries
Receives results
Converts them into posts, menus, settings, and pages
For example, when you load a blog post, PHP runs a query like:
Then PHP uses that data to build the HTML page your visitors see.
Why this matters on IBM i
On IBM i, PHP runs inside PASE, and WordPress works exactly the same as on Linux:
Apache or Nginx handles the web requests
PHP-FPM executes WordPress code
MariaDB stores the content
This gives IBM i developers a modern web stack without leaving the platform.
With these pieces connected, you’re no longer just preparing the system you’re opening the door to modern PHP applications running natively alongside your traditional IBM i workloads.
Now let’s choose a PHP Server which will power WordPress to the Cloud
Side-by-Side Comparison of PHP Options
Feature | CommunityPlus+ PHP | Zend Server | ZendPHP |
|---|---|---|---|
Provider (and link to offering home page) | |||
Free to use? | Yes | No | Yes |
Suitable for production workloads? | Yes, with support in place | Yes, with support in place | Yes, with support in place |
Support | Available from Seiden Group and/or IBM. | Available through Zend Server paid license | Available from Perforce or IBM. |
Supported release lifespan | Determined by open source community | Long term support beyond community project timeframes | Determined by open source community Long-term support beyond community project timeframes is also available. |
Classic ibm_db2 database connector support | See this document for details | See this document for details | See this document for details |
How to acquire and install? | Install as RPM from Seiden Group | Download from Perforce portal. Installed as IBM i Licensed Program (LPP) or an IBM i RPM | Install as RPM from Perforce’s repository |
Available PHP extensions | full list here. Others available upon request. | Contact Perforce | |
IBM i toolkit included with distribution | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Can integrate with IBM’s integrated Apache HTTP Server? | Yes (can be automatically configured) | Yes | Yes (automatically done by installer) |
Can integrate with the Nginx HTTP Server | Yes (requires manual setup) | Yes (requires manual setup) | Yes (requires manual setup) |
Database connectivity | PDO_ODBC or odbc, requires setup of ODBC driver ibm_db2 or PDO_IBM modules (included) | PDO_ODBC or odbc if 64bit, requires setup of ODBC driver ibm_db2 or PDO_IBM modules (included) | PDO_ODBC or odbc, requires setup of ODBC driver ibm_db2 or PDO_IBM modules(PDO_IBM module requires manual build) |
Bit modes available | 64bit | 32bit (LPP)64bit (RPM) | 64bit |
Compatible with Zend Framework | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Can run inside a chroot-based container? | Yes (doc) | No | Yes |
Comes with 5250 management interfaces | No | Yes | No |
Comes with preconfigured subsystems for job management | No | Yes | No |
Performance tools | xdebug | Zend Server performance tools | xdebug |
Comes with Zend Server interface for deploying and monitoring applications | No | Yes | No |
Choices… Choices…. Choices….
I’ve opted for the Seiden CommunityPlus+ PHP Server
Once your bootstrapped environment is in place, installing Seiden CommunityPlus+ PHP should be a straightforward progression: confirming your open‑source setup, loading the PHP RPMs, creating an Apache instance with either the automated siteadd tool or a manual configuration, and dialing in practical settings like error logging and mail support.