In this article I would like to explain on how to have CRON is running:

1. Preparation

2. Installing CGI-module to get checksum

3. Setting Up Cron Jobs in CPanel

4. Epilogue

This article was written in compliance with Vincent Wright article.

If your eSyndiCat version is V2.2 you should pass points 1 and 2 and begin from point 3.

Preparation

So, you should check your PHP for bug in calculating checksum, for do that goto " Admin Panel » Manage Database » SQL Management ".

Type this query into query window and click 'GO'.

SELECT `value` FROM `v2102_config` where `name`='cron_pr_perl'

If you have received value equal 1, you should read point 2 of this article. If have received value equals 0, you should pass point 2.

Installing CGI-module to get checksum

1. Log into eSyndiCat Customer Area.

2. Go to Downloads » Mods & Patches.

3. Click the "Perl checksum module" link. The download process will start shortly.

The downloaded package contain the following file:

checksum.cgi

1. Copy checksum.cgi from the package to the /cgi-bin/ folder on your server.

2. Go to the /cgi-bin/ folder on your server and issue the following command:

chmod 755 checksum.cgi

3. Now you can check if the script is working properly. Open a URL similar to this:

http://www.mydomain.com/cgi-bin/checksum.cgi?url=www.google.com

If you see the number like 63385224020 then the script is ok.

Setting Up Cron Jobs in CPanel

In order to put it all together you have to complete one final step: set up a cron job in your control panel.

1. Log into CPanel. Find the Cron Jobs icon/link. Click it.

2. Click the Standard button.

3. Put a valid email address into the email field (the very first edit box on the Standard Cron Manage page).

In case the cron script produces some unexpected errors all of them will be sent to this email.

4. Put a command into the "Command to run" box.

A typical command looks like this:

{path_to_php} -f {full_path_to_script}

Where {path_to_php} is the full path to PHP executable. Usually this is /usr/local/bin/php. But this might differ on your server so you had better consult with your hosting.

{full_path_to_script} is the full filesystem path to includes/cron.php file.

On how to know full path to script you should goto " Admin Panel » Manage Database » SQL Management ".

Type this query into query window and click 'GO'.

SELECT `value` FROM `v2102_config` where `name`='dir_path'

As example, for me this value is /home/jturner/www/v2103/, and therefore my {full_path_to_script} should be /home/jturner/www/v2103/includes/cron.php.

5. Select time interval. As we all know a good picture is worth a thousand words. So below are three examples of different time intervals.

Run every 15 minutes.

Run every hour.

Run once per day.

Usually running the script every hour would suffice, but this may vary depending on the number of links in your directory: more on this in the following section.

Epilogue

Now that the cron script is set up you have automated next jobs:

1. Checking broken, reciprocal and updating PageRank for links and reporting about results

2. Checking sponsored links expiration, timely notice visitors to upgrade their links, automatic change status and deleting links.

3. Regularly and automatically backing UP your eSyndiCat database

4. MassMailer functionality

You can read more about CRON functionalty and all eSyndiCat options in our manual.

Hope this article will be helpfull.

If you have questions please feel free to contact us.

--

Best regards,
John Turner