PHP and openSSL issues

Hi, I'm trying to use the echo-merchant payment gateway in an e-commerce store. However the script that I am using demands that PHP be installed with the --with-openssl option. The host that I am using have installed openSSL on their webserver, and it shows up under the cURL entry on phpinfo() as the right version but not under the 'configure' options as --with-openssl, however it seems that they have managed to install it in some way other than through a command line option?... is this possible? Could someone explain how it can be possible to install openSSL on a machine and have PHP pick it up und cURL, but not under configure options. Many thanks in advance for any help offered. Yours confusedly Rob Durant