Apache parameter settings 1

[GrahamBright]

Hi all,

I'm trying to work on a strategy to optimise performance of my apache server. I've noticed the following parameters: -

KeepAliveTimeout 15
MinSpareServers 5
MaxSpareServers 10
StartServers 5
MaxClients 20 (changed from 150)
MaxRequestsPerChild 100 (changed from 500)

How does apache decide on the number of spares to start with.

How is the memory allocation managed for each apache instance, currently I can see I have 8 apache servers running each with the exception of 1 ( 5.4 Mbytes) taking 16 Megabytes of memory.

My main goal is to speed up request handling and minimise on memory usage.

Thanks,
Graham.

 

[siberian]

In this case:

Apache will start with 5. If no one hits your server then it will stay at 5.

Then lets say you get a request. Apache will spawn a new server so you'll have 6 total (1 busy, 5 spare). This goes on in a spawn/kill cycle based on start, maxspare and minspare.

Apache shares as much memory as it can between parent and child processes. That usually means outside the base memory usage at startup each child is responsible for its own chunk of memory that is incurred during usage (caching etc).

Your overall question 'How to speed up request handling and minimize memory usage' is more dependant on what you are doing with apache then apache itself. Default apache conf is pretty good at servicing static content quickly and efficiently.

Are you having specific problems?

 

[GrahamBright]

Thanks Siberian,

Your reply answers my question.

Graham.