Vtiger CRM System Requirements

Use these server settings to avoid problems during installation, validation, updates and daily usage of IT Solutions4You extensions for Vtiger CRM.

How to find PHP settings How to change PHP settings
i

Before installation

Please check your PHP configuration, database settings, file permissions and Cron Scheduler. Incorrect server configuration is one of the most common reasons why Vtiger CRM extensions cannot be installed, activated or updated correctly.

!

Important compatibility notice

Our extensions are developed and tested for default Vtiger CRM systems. Any intervention, core modification, third party customization or custom change in the system can affect or disrupt the functionality of our extensions.

IT Solutions4You is not responsible for issues caused by custom modifications, unsupported server environments or changes outside the default Vtiger CRM functionality.

We do not provide support for NAS or Synology installations. By purchasing and installing our extensions on NAS or Synology, you accept the risk that they may not work properly.

01

Recommended environment

For new installations and actively maintained systems, we recommend using a modern Vtiger CRM version with a supported PHP version and sufficient server limits.

Vtiger CRM 8.x recommended
PHP 8.2 or 8.3
Database MySQL or MariaDB
Cron Required
02

Useful guides

If you are not sure where to check or change server settings, use the following guides.

How to find your PHP settings How to change your PHP settings How to set SQL mode
PHP compatibility

Recommended PHP versions by Vtiger CRM version

There are several PHP variables in php.ini that should be checked, set or increased to ensure correct Vtiger CRM operation. We do not recommend using PHP 7.x with Vtiger 6.x. Vtiger 6.x should run on PHP 5.6 only.

Vtiger CRM version Supported PHP versions Recommendation
Vtiger 6.x PHP 5.6 only Do not use PHP 7.x with Vtiger 6.x.
Vtiger 7.1 to 7.4 PHP 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 Use PHP 7.4 where possible.
Vtiger 7.5 PHP 7.3, 7.4, 8.0, 8.1 Use PHP 7.4 or 8.1 depending on installed extensions.
Vtiger 8.0 PHP 8.0, 8.1, 8.2 Use PHP 8.1 or 8.2.
Vtiger 8.1 PHP 8.1, 8.2 Use PHP 8.2 where possible.
Vtiger 8.2 PHP 8.1, 8.2 Use PHP 8.2 where possible.
Vtiger 8.3 PHP 8.1, 8.2 Use PHP 8.2 where possible.
Vtiger 8.4 PHP 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 Use PHP 8.2 or 8.3 depending on extension compatibility.
Important: Always check compatibility of your installed extensions before changing PHP version on a production server. Some older Vtiger CRM extensions may require an older PHP version.
PHP requirements

Recommended PHP settings

The values below are recommended for stable usage of Vtiger CRM and IT Solutions4You extensions. Some older Vtiger versions may require older PHP versions, while newer Vtiger versions may require PHP 8.2 or PHP 8.3.

Setting Minimum requirement Recommended value Note
error_reporting E_WARNING & ~E_NOTICE E_WARNING & ~E_NOTICE Prevents unwanted PHP notices from breaking AJAX responses or exports.
display_errors Off for production Off for production Use On only temporarily for debugging.
file_uploads On On Required for uploads, extension packages and attachments.
vtiger_version 6.x, 7.x or 8.x 8.x Use maintained Vtiger versions where possible.
php_version Depends on Vtiger version Match PHP version with your Vtiger version Do not use PHP 7.x with Vtiger 6.x.
max_execution_time 60 600 Important for imports, exports, updates and PDF generation.
max_input_time 60 120 Useful for larger forms and module configuration pages.
max_input_vars 10000 10000 or higher Important for large settings forms, templates and module layouts.
memory_limit 256M 512M or higher Use higher value for larger databases, PDF generation and imports.
post_max_size 50M 128M Must be higher than upload_max_filesize.
upload_max_filesize 5M 50M or higher Required for extension packages, attachments and imports.
output_buffering On On Recommended for stable output handling.
short_open_tag Off Off Recommended for modern PHP compatibility.
SimpleXML enabled enabled Required by XML based features and integrations.
gd enabled enabled Required for image processing.
curl enabled enabled Required for license validation, API calls and updates.
imap enabled enabled Required for email related features.
mysqli enabled enabled Required for database communication.
mbstring enabled enabled Important for PDF Maker and multilingual text handling.
bcmath enabled enabled Recommended for calculations and workflows.
layout v7 or vlayout Current supported layout Required for compatible extension UI.
charset utf8 utf8 or utf8mb4 Use UTF compatible database and website encoding.
site_url configured correctly configured correctly Required for template images, links and public file URLs.
root_directory configured correctly configured correctly Required for attachments and file uploads.
php.ini settings

Recommended PHP configuration

The values below are recommended for correct Vtiger CRM operation, extension installation, PDF generation, imports, exports and update processes. 

file_uploads = On
upload_max_filesize = 50M
post_max_size = 128M
max_execution_time = 600
max_input_time = 120
max_input_vars = 10000
memory_limit = 512M
output_buffering = On
default_charset = "UTF-8"
display_errors = Off
log_errors = On
error_reporting = E_WARNING & ~E_NOTICE
short_open_tag = Off
extension = gd
extension = imap
extension = mysqli
extension = mbstring
extension = bcmath
extension = curl

For older Windows based PHP environments, extensions may be listed as php_gd2.dll , php_imap.dll , php_mysql.dll , php_mysqli.dll or php_mbstring.dll . The mbstring extension is important for PDF Maker and multilingual text handling.

How to find your PHP settings How to change your PHP settings
Legacy notes

Old PHP variables

Some old Vtiger installation guides mention legacy PHP directives. These values are not available or not recommended in modern PHP versions, but they may still be relevant when maintaining old systems. 

register_globals = Off
sql.safe_mode = Off
suhosin.simulation = On
allow_call_time_reference = On

These directives are obsolete or removed in modern PHP versions. Do not add them blindly to a modern PHP 8.x configuration. Use them only when maintaining very old environments where the directive still exists.

Database settings

Recommended MySQL mode

Some legacy Vtiger CRM versions may have problems with strict SQL modes. If you experience database errors, ask your hosting provider or server administrator to check the SQL mode. 

sql_mode = ""
or
sql_mode = "NO_ENGINE_SUBSTITUTION"

In many legacy Vtiger environments, modes such as STRICT_TRANS_TABLES or ONLY_FULL_GROUP_BY can cause save, install or workflow related errors.

Read MySQL SQL mode documentation
Config file settings

Check Vtiger configuration values

Vtiger CRM also depends on correct values in configuration files. Incorrect site URL or root directory can break uploads, images, links and extension validation. 

$site_URL = "https://your-domain.com/";
$root_directory = "/path/to/your/vtiger/";

Make sure that site_URL ends with a slash and that root_directory points to the real Vtiger CRM installation folder.

File permissions

Recommended Vtiger CRM file and folder permissions

File permissions contain two important parts: owner settings and permission settings. First, set the correct owner for your Vtiger CRM folder. Then protect files and allow write access only where Vtiger CRM needs it. 

chown -R root:www-data crm_dir

The correct owner can be different depending on your server. Common examples are www-data , apache , nginx or your hosting account user. Ask your hosting provider if you are not sure. 

cd crm_dir
find -type d -exec chmod 755 {} \;

Vtiger 7.x and 8.x

chmod 775 backup/
chmod -R 775 cache/
chmod -R 775 cron/
chmod 775 install/
chmod -R 775 languages/
chmod -R 775 layouts/v7/modules/
chmod 775 logs/
chmod -R 775 modules/
chmod 775 storage/
chmod -R 775 test/
chmod -R 775 user_privileges/

Vtiger 6.x

chmod 775 backup/
chmod -R 775 cache/
chmod -R 775 cron/
chmod 775 install/
chmod -R 775 languages/
chmod -R 775 layouts/vlayout/modules/
chmod 775 logs/
chmod -R 775 modules/
chmod 775 storage/
chmod -R 775 test/
chmod -R 775 user_privileges/

Vtiger 5.x

chmod 775 backup/
chmod -R 775 cache/
chmod -R 775 cron/
chmod -R 775 languages/
chmod 775 logs/
chmod -R 775 modules/
chmod 775 storage/
chmod -R 775 test/
chmod -R 775 user_privileges/
chmod -R 775 Smarty/cache/
chmod -R 775 Smarty/templates_c/
chmod -R 775 Smarty/templates/modules/
File protection

Protect files after folder permissions are set

After setting folder permissions, protect regular files with the following command. 

find -type f -exec chmod 644 {} \;
chmod 664 config.inc.php
chmod 664 install.php
chmod 664 parent_tabdata.php
chmod 664 tabdata.php
chmod 664 user_privileges/audit_trail.php
chmod 664 user_privileges/default_module_view.php
chmod 664 user_privileges/enable_backup.php
Security note: Avoid using 777 permissions unless your hosting environment explicitly requires it. Wide open permissions can create security risks.
Cron Scheduler

Cron is required for background tasks

Cron Scheduler is required for workflows, scheduled imports, notifications, email processing, updates and other automated Vtiger CRM tasks. 

* * * * * php /path/to/your/vtiger/cron/vtigercron.php

The exact command can differ depending on hosting, PHP path and server configuration. Ask your hosting provider if you are not sure how to configure Cron Scheduler.

Do you need help with server requirements?

Choose one of our hosting or support services if you want us to check and configure your Vtiger CRM environment.

Contact us