The Statistics Software Configuration File, Uninstalling Legacy Ruby, Understanding Domain TLS, the License Callback Mechanism, and the cpanelsync.exclude File in cPanel & WHM

This guide explains several advanced system components in cPanel & WHM, including the statistics software configuration file, how to uninstall legacy Ruby installations, how the Domain TLS system works, how the license callback mechanism communicates license changes, and how to use the cpanelsync.exclude file to prevent updates to specific cPanel-distributed files.

stats.conf cPaneluninstall Ruby WHMDomain TLS cPanellicense callback mechanismcpanelsync.exclude

~3 min read • Updated Feb 18, 2026

1. The Statistics Software Configuration File


The /etc/stats.conf file stores configuration settings from WHM’s Statistics Software Configuration interface:

WHM » Home » Server Configuration » Statistics Software Configuration

Important: Do not edit this file manually.


1.1 File Options

NameDescriptionExample
ALLOWALLAllows all users to choose their statistics generatorno
BLACKHOURSHours during which statistics processing is disabled10,11
DEFAULTGENSDefault statistics generatorsANALOG,WEBALIZER
allow_awstats_includeAllows users to define AWStats include files0

1.2 Example File

ALLOWALL=no
BLACKHOURS=10,11
DEFAULTGENS=ANALOG,WEBALIZER
allow_awstats_include=0

2. Uninstalling Legacy Ruby Installations


Warning: The legacy Ruby codebase was deprecated in cPanel & WHM version 66. The following interfaces are no longer supported:

  • cPanel » Software » Ruby on Rails
  • cPanel » Software » RubyGems
  • WHM » Software » Module Installers (Ruby Gem installer)

To install Ruby on modern systems, follow the How to Create Ruby Web Applications documentation.


2.1 Manual Compilation Removal

If Ruby was manually compiled, run:

make uninstall

Then archive leftover files:

mv /usr/bin/ruby /usr/bin/ruby.bak`date +%F`
mv /usr/lib/ruby /usr/lib/ruby.bak`date +%F`
mv /usr/bin/gem /usr/bin/gem.bak`date +%F`
mv /usr/bin/rails /usr/bin/rails.bak`date +%F`

2.2 Using rpm

Check installed Ruby packages:

rpm -qa | grep -i ruby

Remove a package:

rpm -e --nodeps packagename

2.3 Using yum

Find Ruby packages:

yum provides ruby

Remove a package:

yum erase packagename

3. What Is Domain TLS?


The Domain TLS system stores and manages verified SSL certificates in a domain-indexed repository. It improves SNI performance and certificate lookup efficiency.


3.1 Supported TLS Versions

  • cPanel & WHM supports TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3
  • TLS 1.3 requires OpenSSL 1.1.1 or later

3.2 How Domain TLS Works

When a certificate is installed for an Apache virtual host, the system copies it into Domain TLS for each domain on that virtual host.

Domain TLS handles SNI for:

  • cpsrvd — cPanel, WHM, Webmail
  • cpdavd — Calendars, Contacts, Web Disk
  • exim — Mail transfer
  • dovecot — Mailbox service

3.3 Differences from Apache SSL Storage

  • Apache groups domains into virtual hosts
  • Domain TLS stores certificates per domain name
  • www.example.com and example.com are stored separately
  • Domain TLS does not store expired or invalid certificates


4. The License Callback Mechanism


The license callback mechanism immediately notifies a server when its license changes in Manage2 or the cPanel Store. It does not modify the server — it only alerts it.


4.1 Required Ports

At least one of the following ports must be open:

ServicePort
cPanel2082
cPanel SSL2083
WHM2086
WHM SSL2087
Webmail SSL2096

4.2 Callback IP Ranges

208.74.121.0/24
208.74.123.0/24

5. The cpanelsync.exclude File


The /etc/cpanelsync.exclude file prevents updates to specific cPanel-distributed files during the cpanelsync process.

Important notes:

  • Only affects cpanelsync updates
  • Does not block runtime modifications
  • Cannot block updates to package-managed files

5.1 Check Whether a File Is Package‑Managed

On Red Hat systems:

rpm -qf /path/to/file

On Ubuntu:

dpkg -S /path/to/file

5.2 Adding Entries

Each entry must be an absolute path on its own line.

Example:

/usr/local/cpanel/scripts/pkgacct
/usr/local/cpanel/Cpanel/Logd.pm

Add entries with:

echo "/usr/local/cpanel/scripts/pkgacct" >> /etc/cpanelsync.exclude
echo "/usr/local/cpanel/Cpanel/Logd.pm" >> /etc/cpanelsync.exclude

Conclusion


This guide covers several advanced cPanel & WHM components, including statistics configuration, legacy Ruby removal, Domain TLS behavior, the license callback mechanism, and the cpanelsync.exclude file. Understanding these systems helps administrators maintain secure, stable, and predictable server environments.


Written & researched by Dr. Shahin Siami