5 Tips To Boost The Performance of Your Apache Web Server

5/7/2017 5 Tips to Boost the Performance of Your Apache Web Server
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According to a recent report by Netcraft (a well-known Internet Exam Study Guide to LFCS and LFCE
company that provides among other services web browser
usage statistics), Apache continues to be the most widely
used web server among sites and Internet-facing computers.  
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Additionally, Apache keeps experiencing the largest growth How to Install Ubuntu 16.10/16.04 Alongside With
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among the top web servers, followed by Nginx and IIS. Thus, if
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server performs at the best of its capacity according to your
(or you client’s) needs.
In this article we will discuss a few tips that will help you
ensure that Apache will run smoothly and be able to handle the
number of requests you are expecting from remote clients.
However, please keep in mind that Apache was not designed

with the objective of setting benchmark records – but, even so,
it is still capable of providing high performance in almost any
usage case you can possibly think of.
TIP #1: Always keep Apache updated

to its latest version
It goes without saying that having the latest version of Apache

installed is probably one of the ǈrst things you need to
consider. As of November 19, 2015, the latest version of ×
Linux System Administrator Bundle
Apache available in the CentOS 7 repositories is 2.4.6, whereas
with 7-Courses (96% off)
in Debian’s is 2.4.10.
However, there may be a recent improvement or a bug ǈx that Add to Cart - $69
has been added to a newly-released stable version, which is 257,757 11,967 39,682
 Ending In: 3 days
then made available to download and install from source. Are you subscribed?
Compilation and installation instructions
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Shellalso provided
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here – just remember that if you choose this update method, Computer Hacker Professional
you may want to back up your current conǈguration ǈles / sites Certiǈcation Course (96% Off)
/ virtual hosts as a precaution.
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In any event, you can check your currently installed version as
 Ending In: 4 days
follows:
# httpd v [On RedHat/CentOS based systems] DOWNLOAD FREE LINUX EBOOKS

# apache2 –v [On Debian/Ubuntu based systems]
Complete Linux Command Line Cheat Sheet
The GNU/Linux Advanced Administration Guide
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Check Apache Version
Understanding the Linux® Virtual Memory
Manager
As a rule of thumb, stick with the update method provided by Getting Started with Ubuntu 16.04
the package manager of your chosen distribution A Newbie’s Getting Started Guide to Linux
( yum update httpd or Linux from Scratch – Create Your Own Linux OS
Linux Shell Scripting Cookbook, Second Edition
aptitude safeupgrade apache2 , for CentOS or Debian,
Securing & Optimizing Linux: The Hacking ×
respectively) unless there is no other way. You can read the Join Over 300K+ Linux Users
Solution
latest release notes in the Apache Documentation section in User Mode Linux – Understanding and
the Apache HTTP server Project website. Administration
TIP #2: If you are using a Kernel older 257,757 11,967 39,682
    
than 2.4, consider upgrading now Are you subscribed?
Why? Kernel versions 2.4 and above have the sendǈle kernel Never Miss Any Linux Tutorials,
system call enabled by default. That, in turn, facilitates high Guides, Tips and Free eBooks
performance network ǈle transfers (which are desired in the Join Our Community Of 150,000+ Linux Lovers
context of web server-client communications) and enables and get a weekly newsletter in your inbox
Apache to deliver static content faster and with lower CPU

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utilization by performing simultaneous read and send
operations.
You can view your currently installed kernel with:
# uname r
and compare it to the latest stable kernel in www.kernel.org

(4.3 at the time of this writing).
Check Linux Kernel Version
Although it is a process not intended for beginners, upgrading ×

your kernel is an interesting exercise to learn more about the
internals of Linux.
TIP #3: Choose the Multi-Processing 257,757 11,967 39,682
Module (MPM) that works best for Are you subscribed?

your case 4 Free Shell Scripting eBooks for Newbies and Administrators
In practice, MPMs extend the modular functionality of Apache

by allowing you to decide how to conǈgure the web server to
bind to network ports on the machine, accept requests from
clients, and use children processes (and threads, alternatively)
to handle such requests.
Beginning with version 2.4, Apache offers three different MPMs

to choose from, depending on your needs:
The prefork MPM uses multiple child processes without

threading. Each process handles one connection at a time
without creating separate threads for each. Without going
into too much detail, we can say that you will want to use
this MPM only when debugging an application that uses,
or if your application needs to deal with, non-thread-safe
modules like mod_php.
The worker MPM uses several threads per child
processes, where each thread handles one connection at a
time. This is a good choice for high-tra‫܀‬c servers as it
×
allows more concurrent connections to be handled with Join Over 300K+ Linux Users
less RAM than in the previous case.
Finally, the event MPM is the default MPM in most
Apache installations for versions 2.4 and above. It is
similar to the worker MPM in that it also creates multiple 257,757 11,967 39,682
threads per child process but with an advantage: it causes Are you subscribed?
KeepAlive or idle connections (while they remain in that
state) to be handled by a single thread, thus freeing up

memory that can be allocated to other threads. This MPM
is not suitable for use with non-thread-safe modules like
mod_php, for which a replacement such a PHP-FPM must
be used instead.
To check the MPM used by your Apache installation, you can

do:
# httpd V
The image below show that this particular web server is using
the prefork MPM.
×
Check Apache MPM
257,757 11,967 39,682

To change this, you will need to edit:
Are you subscribed?
# /etc/httpd/conf.modules.d/00mpm.conf [On RedHat/CentOS based systems]
# /etc/apache2/modsavailable/<mpm>.load [On Debian/Ubuntu based systems]
Where <mpm> can be mpm_event, mpm_worker, or

mpm_prefork.
and uncomment the line that loads the desired module like so:
LoadModule mpm_event_module modules/mod_mpm_event.so
Note: To make the event MPM work in Debian, you may have to
install the libapache2-mod-fastcgi package from the non-free
repositories.
Additionally, for CentOS you will need php-fpm (along with fcgi
and mod_fcgid) whereas in Debian it’s called php5-fpm (along
with apache2-mpm-event).
×
Last, but not least, restart the web server and the newly Join Over 300K+ Linux Users
installed php-fpm (or php5-fpm) service:
On RedHat/CentOS
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# systemctl restart httpd phpfpm && systemctl enable httpd phpfpm Are you subscribed?

On Debian/Ubuntu
SHARE
+
# systemctl restart apache2 php5fpm && systemctl enable apache2 php5fpm

0
Although you can set Apache to use a speciǈc MPM, that
conǈguration can be overridden on a per-virtual host basis in 
the same fashion as indicated earlier.
0
Just drop the corresponding tags into the conǈguration ǈle for
each virtual host and you’re ready to go – but make sure you’re

using one and only one MPM per vhost. 75
Finally, please note that regardless of your chosen distribution, 

php-fpm relies on the implementation of FastCGI, which is the
reason why I recommended the additional package
installations earlier.
For more details and examples on php-fpm and how it can

along with the event MPM increase the performance of ×
Apache, you should refer to the o‫܀‬cial documentation.
This is what I see after changing the default MPM from prefork
to event in the same box shown in the previous image:
257,757 11,967 39,682
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Choose Apache MPM Module
In CentOS 7, you will need to make sure that the http and https
services are enabled through the ǈrewall, and that the network
interface(s) are properly added to the default zone.
For example:
×
# firewallcmd zone=internal addinterface=tun6to4
# firewallcmd zone=internal addinterface=tun6to4 permanent
# firewallcmd setdefaultzone=internal
# firewallcmd addservice=http
# firewallcmd addservice=https
# firewallcmd addservice=http permanent
# firewallcmd addservice=https permanent 257,757 11,967 39,682
# firewallcmd reload
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The reason why I’m bringing this up is because I recently

experienced an issue where the default ǈrewalld conǈguration
settings in a cloud VPS prevented php-fpm and Apache from
processing php ǈles.
As a basic test (I am sure you can think of more complicated

or stressful ones), I will create a php ǈle that checkes the
existence of another ǈle named test.php in the same
directory of two CentOS 7 servers with the same hardware
characteristics and load but with different MPM. One of them
will use event and the other one will use prefork:
Compare Apache Event and Prefork Module
This is the php code that I’ve saved into a ǈle named
checkiffileexists.php :
×
<?php
$filename = 'test.php';
if (file_exists($filename)) {
echo "The file $filename exists";
} else { 257,757 11,967 39,682
echo "The file $filename does not exist";
} Are you subscribed?
?>
Then we will run the Apache benchmark tool (ab) with 200
simultaneous requests until 2000 requests are completed:
# ab k c 100 n 2000 localhost/checkiffileexists.php
Let’s run the test and compare the results. Pay attention to the
performance statistics:
×
Apache Performance Load Testing
As you can see, the performance of the server with event is

257,757 11,967 39,682
highly superior to its prefork counterpart in every aspect of this
test. Are you subscribed?
TIP #4: Allocate RAM wisely for

Apache
Perhaps the most critical hardware item to be taken into
account is the amount of RAM allocated for each Apache
process. While you cannot control this directly, you can restrict
the number of child processes through the
MaxRequestWorkers directive (formerly known as MaxClients
in Apache 2.2), which will put limits on the RAM usage by
Apache. Again, you can set this value on a per host or per
virtual host basis.
To do this, you should take note of the average amount of RAM

used by Apache, then multiply it by the number of
MaxRequestWorkers, and that is the amount of memory that
will be allocated for Apache processes. One thing you never
want your web server to do is to begin using swap, as that will
signiǈcantly decrease its performance. Thus, you should
always keep the usage of RAM by Apache within the limits that
×
you can afford and never rely on swap for it. Join Over 300K+ Linux Users
For example, the following block will restrict the number of

simultaneous clients to 30. If more clients hit the host, they
may experience a delay or a momentary failure that can be 257,757 11,967 39,682
easily solved by refreshing the browser. While this may be
Are you subscribed?
considered undesirable, it is healthier for the server and in the

long run, best for your site as well.
You can place this block inside

/etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf or
/etc/apache2/apache2.conf , depending on whether you
are using CentOS or Debian.
Please note that the same principle applies to all MPMs – I am

using event here to continue with the concept outlined in the
previous tip:
<IfModule mpm_event_module>
StartServers 3
MinSpareThreads 25
MaxSpareThreads 75
ThreadLimit 64
ThreadsPerChild 25
MaxRequestWorkers 30
MaxConnectionsPerChild 1000
</IfModule>
×
In any event, it is highly recommended that you refer to the
Apache 2.4 docs to see which directives are allowed for your
chosen MPM.
257,757 11,967 39,682

TIP #5: Know your applications
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As a rule of thumb, you should not load any Apache modules

that are not strictly needed for your application to work. This
will require at least an overall knowledge of the applications
running on your server, specially if you are a system
administrator and there’s another team in charge of
development.
You can list the currently loaded modules with:
# httpd M [On RedHat/CentOS based systems]
# apache2ctl M [On Debian/Ubuntu based systems]
To unload / disable modules in CentOS, you will need to

comment out the line that begins with LoadModule (either in
the main conǈguration ǈle or in an auxiliary one inside
/etc/httpd/conf.modules.d.
On the other hand, Debian provides a tool called a2dismod to

disable modules and is used as follows: ×
# a2dismod module_name
To enable it back: 257,757 11,967 39,682
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# a2enmod module_name 4 Free Shell Scripting eBooks for Newbies and Administrators
In either case, remember to restart Apache for the changes to

take effect.
Summary
In this article we have reviewed 5 tips that will help you tune
the Apache web server and increase its performance. In
addition, you should remember that optimization and
performance without security is pointless, so you may want to
refer to the install mod_pagespeed to improve webserver
performance and Apache hardening tips article in
Tecmint.com as well.
Since we cannot adequately cover all the aspects of this topic

in this article, perhaps you will think of other ideas that you
would like to share with the rest of the community. If so, feel
free to let us know using the comment form below.
×
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Tags: Apache
Gabriel Cánepa View all Posts

Gabriel Cánepa is a GNU/Linux sysadmin and web
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phalacee  March 22, 2017 at 8:31 am

This is a TERRIBLE guide.
You don’t need to compile from Source unless you need to do something
differently to the package maintainer!
And having your server drop a connection and force a user to refresh? WTF are
you on!?
Reply
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5/7/2017 5 Tips to Boost the Performance of Your Apache Web Server

257,757 11,967 39,682

5 Tips to Boost the Performance of  BEGINNER'S GUIDE FOR LINUX 

Your Apache Web Server Start learning Linux in minutes 

How to Add Linux Host to Nagios Monitoring

Nagios 4.2.0 Released – Install on RHEL/CentOS

Install Cacti (Network Monitoring) on ×

Google Chrome 58 Released – Install on

257,757 11,967 39,682

However, please keep in mind that Apache was not designed

TIP #1: Always keep Apache updated

It goes without saying that having the latest version of Apache

# httpd ­v [On RedHat/CentOS based systems] DOWNLOAD FREE LINUX EBOOKS

Apache to deliver static content faster and with lower CPU

You can view your currently installed kernel with:

and compare it to the latest stable kernel in www.kernel.org

Check Linux Kernel Version

Although it is a process not intended for beginners, upgrading ×

TIP #3: Choose the Multi-Processing 257,757 11,967 39,682

Module (MPM) that works best for Are you subscribed?

In practice, MPMs extend the modular functionality of Apache

Beginning with version 2.4, Apache offers three different MPMs

The prefork MPM uses multiple child processes without

state) to be handled by a single thread, thus freeing up

To check the MPM used by your Apache installation, you can

Check Apache MPM

257,757 11,967 39,682

Where <mpm> can be mpm_event, mpm_worker, or

# systemctl restart httpd php­fpm && systemctl enable httpd php­fpm Are you subscribed?

Finally, please note that regardless of your chosen distribution, 

For more details and examples on php-fpm and how it can

Are you subscribed?

Choose Apache MPM Module

The reason why I’m bringing this up is because I recently

As a basic test (I am sure you can think of more complicated

Compare Apache Event and Prefork Module

Apache Performance Load Testing

As you can see, the performance of the server with event is

TIP #4: Allocate RAM wisely for

To do this, you should take note of the average amount of RAM

For example, the following block will restrict the number of

considered undesirable, it is healthier for the server and in the

You can place this block inside

Please note that the same principle applies to all MPMs – I am

257,757 11,967 39,682

As a rule of thumb, you should not load any Apache modules

You can list the currently loaded modules with:

To unload / disable modules in CentOS, you will need to

On the other hand, Debian provides a tool called a2dismod to

To enable it back: 257,757 11,967 39,682

Are you subscribed?

In either case, remember to restart Apache for the changes to

Since we cannot adequately cover all the aspects of this topic

If You Appreciate What We Do Here On

2. Subscribe to our email updates: Sign Up Now

3. Get your own self-hosted blog with a Free Domain at

4. Become a Supporter - Make a contribution via PayPal

6. Support us by taking our online Linux courses

We are thankful for your never ending support.

Gabriel Cánepa View all Posts

Your name can also be listed here. Got a tip? Submit

Are you subscribed?

PREVIOUS STORY NEXT STORY

# httpd v [On RedHat/CentOS based systems] DOWNLOAD FREE LINUX EBOOKS

# systemctl restart httpd phpfpm && systemctl enable httpd phpfpm Are you subscribed?