Magento is an open source e-commerce platform built on PHP/MySql. It uses parts of the PHP Zend Framework. Like any other software, Magento also has certain system requirements which must be met in order to install and run it.

Here is the list of requirements which must be met for successful setup and functioning of Magento:

1. Operating System

• Linux x86, x86-64, Windows, or another UNIX-compatible operating system

2. Web Server

• You can use Apache 1.3.x/2.0.x/2.2.x
• Nginx – If you are installing Magento Community Edition >=1.7 or Magento Enterprise Edition>=1.12

3. PHP Compatibility

• Magento runs well on PHP versions 5.2.13 – 5.3.24, 5.4.x is also supported but to use that you need to download and install patch
• You can run php as an Apache module or install PHP-FPM
• safe_mode = off
• memory_limit = 256 MB (minimum)

4. PHP Extension required to be installed and enabled on web server

Following PHP extension must be installed and enabled in your php.ini file

• PDO_MySQL
• simplexml
• mcrypt
• hash
• GD
• DOM
• icony
• curl
• SOAP (if Webservices API is to be used for integration with third party applications)

5. MySql

• MySQL 4.1.20 or newer (Magento Community Edition and Magento Enterprise Edition <= 1.12.0.2)
• MySQL 5.0.2 or newer (Magento Enterprise Edition 1.13.0.0 or later)

6. SSL – Secure Socket Layer

A valid SSL certificate should be installed on web server, if secure connection (https) is required for registration, checkout pages and the admin section. Self-signed SSL certificates are not supported.

7. Server – hosting – setup

• Your web server should be able to schedule and run cron scripts with PHP 5
• Your web server should be have the ability to override options in .htaccess files

8. Sendmail-compatible Mail Transfer Agent (MTA)

Magento will connect directly to an SMTP server if you don’t have an MTA

9. Redis NoSQL (optional for CE 1.8 and later, EE 1.13 and later)

• redis-server version 2.6.9 or later
• phpredis version 2.2.2 or later