[cpanel11] File Manager concerns

We have had a few people write in with complaints regarding the new File Manager in cPanel 11. Some of the complaints range from lock ups to not being able to display your files. If you have any problems with the new File Manager, try using the Legacy File Manager.

The new File Manager has a lot of added functionality. A lot of it uses AJAX or Javascript routines to add these new functions. AJAX can make for a very nice looking interface, but it can also cause some problems.

One of the problems with the new File Manager is that it is not able to read directories that have a lot of files in it. I don’t have an exact number for what qualifies as “a lot” but I do know that this issue exists. This is just part of the problem with using AJAX and Javascript. The script is timing out before it has a chance to get a complete directory listing. I don’t really think there is much that can be done in regards to this. I am sure over time the code in the new File Manager will be updated with more efficient code and this bug may disappear.

Another issue we are seeing is that users are experiencing lock ups when using the new code editors in the new File Manager. Again, this is probably a case of the Javascript that is used to render the pages consuming too much memory or too many CPU cycles that it just causes your. You can kind of think of it this way, the prettier an interface is, the more stuff that has to be done behind the scenes to do that, meaning that there is less memory and less processing power available for you to make changes with that interface. Its a trade off. The code editor and HTML editor can be useful tools for easily adjusting your code. But if you are running a slower computer, with less RAM, and modifying a large file on your account, then the chances that the various code editors are going to work become less.

I’m not aware of any widespread issues regarding the new File Manager throughout the webhosting industry. I suspect that there are a few isolated cases here and there concerning it but nothing major.

If you experience any problems using the new File Manager then you may need to use the Legacy File Manager and you just may not be able to use the Code Editor or HTML editor.