title: Target Settings created at: Thu Oct 31 2024 11:13:02 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) updated at: Sat Feb 08 2025 14:22:32 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) --- # Target Settings # Overview A target represents the group of packages that must exist on the server for a specific service to function properly. Packages can consist of RPMs for Red-Hat systems (like [AlmaLinux OS](https://docs.cpanel.net/installation-guide/system-requirements-almalinux) , CentOS, [CloudLinux](https://docs.cpanel.net/installation-guide/system-requirements-cloudlinux) , or [Rocky Linux](https://docs.cpanel.net/installation-guide/system-requirements-rockylinux) ) or `.deb` packages for Debian systems (like [Ubuntu](https://docs.cpanel.net/installation-guide/system-requirements-ubuntu) ). # What is a target setting? The rpm.versions system uses the target setting to determine whether to install or uninstall that target’s specific packages. The `target_settings` section of the `/usr/local/cpanel/etc/rpm.versions` file contains the cPanel-provided default status for each target. To override the cPanel-provided default statuses for each target presented in the `/usr/local/cpanel/etc/rpm.versions` file, update the target setting in the `/var/cpanel/rpm.versions.d/local.versions` file. For example, to override the cPanel-provided default `clamav` package target, enter `clamav:TARGET_STATE` into the `target_settings` section of the `/var/cpanel/rpm.versions.d/local.versions` file. `TARGET_STATE` represents the [target state](https://docs.cpanel.net/knowledge-base/rpm-versions/target-settings/#target-states) of the package. More: For more information about the `/usr/local/cpanel/etc/rpm.versions` file, read our [The `rpm.versions` File](https://docs.cpanel.net/knowledge-base/rpm-versions/the-rpm-versions-file) documentation. # Target states The targets on your server may exist in any of the following states: * `installed` — The rpm.versions system ensures that the packages for that target are installed and functional. * `uninstalled` — The rpm.versions system ensures that the packages for that target are uninstalled. * `unmanaged` — The rpm.versions system ignores the packages for that target, regardless of whether they are installed on the server. !! Warning: !! You may experience problems with certain services if cPanel & WHM does not manage them: !! The rpm.versions system does not update unmanaged packages. These packages require manual upgrades and maintenance. !! If you upgrade a server with unmanaged FTP targets, problems may occur in cPanel’s FTP-related interfaces. For more information, read our [How to Restore Missing FTP Interfaces in cPanel](https://docs.cpanel.net/knowledge-base/ftp/how-to-restore-missing-ftp-interfaces-in-cpanel/) documentation. !! Unmanaged package targets may become upgrade blockers for a future version of cPanel & WHM. !! If a MySQL package target is unmanaged, the system also blocks MariaDB on the server. To successfully use a cPanel-managed installation of either MySQL or MariaDB, the rpm.versions system must manage both package targets. !! For more information, read our [How to Set or Unset Package Management](https://docs.cpanel.net/knowledge-base/general-systems-administration/how-to-set-or-unset-package-management) documentation. # Legacy packages The packages that WebPros International, LLC provided prior to the implementation of the rpm.versions system are now legacy packages. The settings in the `/var/cpanel/cpanel.config` file control these legacy packages. * The system stores these settings in the `/usr/local/cpanel/etc/rpm.versions` file. * The files in the `/var/cpanel/rpm.versions.d/` directory can override the `target_settings` configuration. # Configuration file settings The following list shows the settings in the `/var/cpanel/cpanel.config` file that control the actions of legacy packages: * `ftpserver` — `pure-ftpd`, `proftpd`, `disabled` * `local_nameserver_type` — `bind`, `powerdns` * `mailserver` — `dovecot` * `mysql-version` — For more information about the available version number for your OS, read our [Supported MySQL/MariaDB versions](https://docs.cpanel.net/knowledge-base/general-systems-administration/supported-mysql-mariadb-versions) documentation. !! More: !! For more information, read our [The cpanel.config File](https://docs.cpanel.net/knowledge-base/cpanel-product/the-cpanel-config-file) documentation.