Running PHP with fcgid
Why ?
- Because mod_php forces you to load prefork MPM, which is inefficient.
- Because mod_php will be loaded into httpd's memory even when serving static pages
- Most distributions shipping in 2013 provide pre-compiled packages that let you run php with fcgid. This is just a matter of configuration.
- mod_fcgid is an official Apache module, available at http://httpd.apache.org/mod_fcgid/
Benefits
- Huge performance boost, both in CPU and memory consumption
- PHP runs into a separated process
On what conditions not to run php on fcgid
- If you run httpd 2.4, you should consider PHP-FPM
Quick How to
Follow ALL steps, or something will be missing in the end.
- Unload mod_php by commenting out the LoadModule directive from your configuration. 2. Load the mod_fcgid module with the LoadModule directive. 3. Install PHP as CGI using your package manager. 4. Write a small wrapper, such as this : /usr/local/bin/php-wrapper
#!/bin/sh
# Set desired PHP_FCGI_* environment variables.
# Example:
# PHP FastCGI processes exit after 1000 requests by default.
PHP_FCGI_MAX_REQUESTS=1000
export PHP_FCGI_MAX_REQUESTS
# Replace with the path to your FastCGI-enabled PHP executable
exec /usr/lib/cgi-bin/php5
Make sure it is readable and executable by the apache user/group.
5.#5 Configuration - httpd.conf LoadModule fcgid_module <path to modules>/mod_fcgid.so
AddHandler fcgid-script .php
FcgidWrapper /usr/local/bin/php-wrapper .php
6.#6 Replace prefork MPM with a threaded MPM, such as worker. On 2.4, you can now change the active mpm by loading the appropriate module.
FAQ / It doesn't work
Don't panic. Check apache httpd error log.
PHP files are downloaded, not interpreted
If you have a handler already set for PHP, it may be conflicting. So you can try something like :
"grep -ri handler /etc/httpd | grep php" depending on the result, you may need to comment out some config you are having.
Further options
You should read http://httpd.apache.org/mod_fcgid/mod/mod_fcgid.html#upgrade