Upgrading to the Latest Version of Apache 2.2 on Your Server

Apache’s latest server software has attracted millions of users eager to upgrade for better performance, reliability and open source security. The Apache Software Foundation released the 2.2 version upgrade recently, and the stable release has been widely adopted by the developer community on a global basis. From the very first 1.0 version released in 1996 to the most recent release, Apache counts millions of users and over half of the total market share. This guide aims to help users understand the advantages of version 2.2, as well as the process of upgrading your server from Apache 2.0 to the current 2.2 build.

With the release of Apache 2.0, the server software offered improved support for APIS, IPv6 , improved Unix multi-tasking and cross-platform compatibility. Since its release in 2002, the platform has undergone substantial development in terms of caching (speed) and open APIs to improve connectivity. Upgrading to version 2.2 provides significant benefits for server administrators who want to get more from their databases, web applications or server connections.  Therefore, while the upgrade is not essential for all users, it’s highly recommended as a way to improve data transfer rates and application features.

Evaluating Upgrade to Apache 2.2 – A Guide to the Major Changes

There are several changes in the 2.2 build including updated modules names and configuration changes. In particular, the mod_auth modular has been divided into basic, file, user and group authorization modules, which several other modules have been re-named and SSL configuration is now implemented via the mod_ssl settings rather than through the startssl option, while the authorization logs have been consolidated into Mod_authnfile.  Additionally, beta modules such as cache, and charset are now standard within the build. Before upgrading it’s important to understand how these updates impact your particular Apache build, as well as your application server settings. Once you feel comfortable with the changes, you can then proceed to upgrade to the latest stable build of Apache on your server.

Core improvements in the new build include better caching, with improved cache and proxy modules. Implementation of improved load balancing through mod_proxy_balancer makes it easier for server administrators to balance server connections. The shift in web applications toward more demanding file transfers and system resource use has made Apache 2.2 essential for modern web developers. Similarly, the core httpd configuration file can now extend file support beyond the previous 2 gigabyte level for 32-bit systems, allowing for large scale applications to run on Apache servers. Another great feature which is designed to help apache scale is the event MPM feature which offers segmented threats to allow dedicated workers to handle live requests, which is a core way of implementing dedicated resources for specific tasks in large scale database sites.

These features are important upgrades that allow Apache 2.2 to be the preferred source for modern web software development. Improved ability to scale and handle user authentication makes Apache the preferred server platform for the largest social sites on the web, and it has the capability of scaling to meet virtually any enterprise level need.

For full information on how to upgrade your build refer to: http://httpd.apache.org/download.cgi