How to Enable ServBay's Built-In OPcache Module

As a powerful integrated web development tool, ServBay comes with the Opcache module, which is very easy to enable. Opcache is a PHP bytecode caching module that significantly enhances PHP application performance by caching precompiled PHP bytecode.

Introduction to the Opcache Module

Opcache is a built-in extension of PHP designed to improve PHP execution performance. By caching the bytecode of PHP scripts, it avoids the need to recompile PHP code with each request, reducing CPU and memory usage and speeding up response times.

Key Features

1. Improves Performance: Caches PHP bytecode, reducing the overhead of code compilation and significantly boosting execution speed for PHP applications.
2. Reduces Resource Consumption: Lowers CPU and memory usage, allowing for more efficient use of server resources.
3. Automatic Management: Opcache automatically manages the cache, requiring no manual intervention from developers.
4. Flexible Configuration: Offers a variety of configuration options, enabling developers to adjust caching behavior as needed.
5. Built-in Extension: As a built-in PHP extension, Opcache is easy to install and configure.

Opcache Module Version in ServBay

ServBay supports multiple PHP versions and comes pre-installed with the corresponding Opcache module for each version.

How to Enable the Opcache Module

By default, the Opcache module is disabled. Enabling it is straightforward: simply navigate to Language - PHP, select the PHP version you want to enable the module for, such as PHP 8.4, click on Extensions on the right, then switch on the toggle next to the OPCache module and save.

Users can also manually open or modify the module configuration with the following detailed steps:

Step 1: Locate the Configuration File

First, locate the conf.d directory for the corresponding PHP version. For example, to enable the Opcache module for PHP 8.3, we need to edit the following file:

/Applications/ServBay/etc/php/8.3/conf.d/opcache.ini

Step 2: Edit the Configuration File

Open the opcache.ini file, uncomment the following lines and add the necessary configurations:

[Zend Opcache]
; Uncomment the following line to enable Opcache
zend_extension = opcache.so
opcache.memory_consumption = 128
opcache.interned_strings_buffer = 8
opcache.max_accelerated_files = 4000
opcache.revalidate_freq = 60
opcache.fast_shutdown = 1
opcache.enable_cli = 1

Step 3: Restart PHP Service

Restart the corresponding PHP service in ServBay's service management panel, for example, the PHP 8.3 service. Once restarted, the Opcache module will be successfully loaded.

Verify if the Opcache Module is Loaded

You can verify if the Opcache module is successfully loaded by creating a simple PHP file. Create a phpinfo.php file in the root directory of your web server with the following content:

<?php
phpinfo();
?>

Visit https://servbay.host/phpinfo.php, and check for Opcache-related information on the PHP information page. If you see Opcache information, the module has been successfully loaded.

Configure Opcache Parameters

Opcache offers a variety of configuration options, allowing developers to adjust caching behavior as needed. Here are some common configuration options:

[Opcache]
zend_extension = opcache.so
opcache.enable = 1
opcache.memory_consumption = 128       ; Set the amount of memory used by Opcache in MB
opcache.interned_strings_buffer = 8    ; Set the amount of memory used for interned strings in MB
opcache.max_accelerated_files = 10000  ; Set the maximum number of files to cache
opcache.revalidate_freq = 2            ; Set the frequency of cache revalidation in seconds
opcache.fast_shutdown = 1              ; Enable fast shutdown
opcache.enable_cli = 1                 ; Enable Opcache in CLI mode

Conclusion

ServBay provides an easy way to manage and enable the Opcache module. Through simple configuration and restart operations, developers can quickly enable the Opcache module in different PHP versions, significantly improving PHP application performance. Opcache's bytecode caching reduces the overhead of code compilation, enhances response speed and resource utilization, and is an effective tool for optimizing PHP application performance. With ServBay and Opcache, developers can build efficient and fast-responsive web applications.