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How to check the Apache configuration file (httpd.conf)?
Answer:
When you have made changes to the Apache configuration file (httpd.conf), you should always perform a syntax check on the file before restarting the Apache. Especially if it is on a production environment.
Use the following command to perform a config test
apachectl configtest
Apache restart explained
Answer:
1. apachectl -k restart
Sending a restart signal to the Apache parent process and causes it to kill off its children, but the parent process doesn't exit. It re-reads its configuration files, re-opens any log files and continues serving users.
2. apachectl -k graceful
Similar to (1), except the the child process will exit after they have finished their current request.
3. apachectl -k stop && apachectl -k start
The Apache parent process is killed immediately and the Apache is start up again. This is the only way to cleanup cached program data (e.g. using mod_perl) stored in the Apache parent process, method (1) and (2) do not work in this case since only child process are killed.
How to restart Apache without disconnecting user
Answer:
If you have made changes to the apache configuration (httpd.conf), you would need to restart Apache to re-read the new configuration.
However, you don't need to disconnect user immediately, you can tell the Apache's parent process to advise their children to exit after they have finished their current request. So users will not experience a sudden disconnect.
To do so, use the graceful flag
apachectl -k graceful
Restart Apache web server in Mac OSX
Answer:
Open the terminal, and type
sudo apachectl -k restart
To stop it, type
sudo apachectl -k stop
To start it, type
sudo apachectl -k start
Turn off ETag in Apache
Answer:
ETag should not be used in Apache unless you know what they are really for.
Edit the Apache configuration: vi httpd.conf
Add:
FileETag None
Then restart Apache.
