Question 1

How many worker processes should I configure?

Accepted Answer

A general rule is to set worker processes equal to the number of CPU cores. For CPU-bound tasks, use 1 worker per core. For I/O-bound tasks (database queries, API calls), you can use 2x the number of cores.

Question 2

What is the difference between Apache and Nginx?

Accepted Answer

Apache uses a process-based model and is highly configurable with .htaccess files. Nginx uses an event-driven architecture, making it more efficient for static content and high concurrent connections. Nginx typically uses less memory (0.25MB vs 0.5MB per connection).

Question 3

When should I use Caddy instead of Nginx?

Accepted Answer

Caddy is ideal when you want automatic HTTPS with zero configuration, simpler config syntax, or built-in HTTP/3 support. Nginx is better for complex setups requiring fine-grained control or when you need maximum performance optimization.

Question 4

How much memory does PHP-FPM add?

Accepted Answer

PHP-FPM typically adds 20-50MB per worker process depending on the application. This calculator estimates an additional 20MB per worker when PHP is enabled. Monitor actual usage and adjust pm.max_children accordingly.

Question 5

Which PHP version should I use in 2026?

Accepted Answer

For new projects in 2026, use PHP 8.4 or 8.5 for the latest features and performance. PHP 8.3 is recommended for stability. PHP 8.2 is LTS (Long Term Support). Avoid PHP 7.x and 5.x as they are end-of-life.

Question 6

What is Lighttpd best used for?

Accepted Answer

Lighttpd excels on low-resource systems, embedded devices, and IoT applications. It uses only 5MB per worker and 0.2MB per connection - the lowest of all servers. It's perfect for Raspberry Pi, routers, and minimal VPS instances.

Question 7

Can I share my server configuration?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Click the Share button to generate a URL with all your settings. Anyone with the link can see your exact configuration. This is useful for team collaboration or asking for help on forums.

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