Apache 2 - Performances

These are performances tricks for Apache2.

Mod deflate: improved the bandwidth

To improve the bandwidth, you can compress pages and type of content.

=> You can improved your bandwidth from 20 to 30%.

Mod_deflate

To do so, you need a specific module for Apache: mod_deflate

a2enmod deflate
touch /var/log/apache2/deflate.log
chown www-data:www-data /var/log/apache2/deflate.log
chmod 740 /var/log/apache2/deflate.log

Configuration

Edit your web server configuration file:

vim /etc/apache2/conf.d/deflate.conf

Add the following lines:

### Bandwidth optimization
<IfModule mod_deflate.c>
	AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE text/html text/plain text/xml text/javascript text/css application/x-javascript
	DeflateFilterNote deflate_ratio
	LogFormat "%v %h %l %u %t \"%r\" %>s %b"
	CustomLog /var/log/apache2/deflate.log vhost_with_deflate_info
</IfModule>

Restart your web server:

/etc/init.d/apache2 restart

Mod expires: use the cache of your clients

Another way to improve performances and bandwidth: use the client's cache.

To do so, you need a specific module for Apache: mod_expires

a2enmod expires

Edit your web server configuration file:

vim /etc/apache2/expires.conf

Add the following lines

#### Client's cache settings
<IfModule mod_expires.c>
	ExpiresActive on
	# set the default to 24 hours
	ExpiresDefault "access plus 24 hours"
	# cache shockwave-flash for 2 weeks (days | weeks | mounths | years)
	ExpiresByType application/x-shockwave-flash "access plus 2 weeks"
	ExpiresByType flv-application/octet-stream "access plus 3 days"
	# cache common graphics for 3 days
	ExpiresByType image/jpg "access plus 2 weeks"
	ExpiresByType image/gif "access plus 2 weeks"
	ExpiresByType image/jpeg "access plus 2 weeks"
	ExpiresByType image/png "access plus 2 weeks"
	# cache CSS for 24 hours
	ExpiresByType text/css "access plus 24 hours"
</IfModule>

Restart your web server:

/etc/init.d/apache2 restart