Overcoming Performance Bottlenecks in Plesk: CPU and RAM Optimization

Introduction

Plesk is a powerful control panel that simplifies web hosting management on both Linux and Windows servers. However, high traffic applications or misconfigurations can lead to significant CPU and RAM bottlenecks. In this article, we will detail the steps to overcome performance bottlenecks under Plesk.

The Logic of Optimization

Server optimization is crucial for effective resource utilization and overall server performance improvement. Reducing CPU and RAM consumption enhances server response times and improves user experience. Below are some fundamental optimization steps you can take under Plesk.

1. Apache and Nginx Settings

Optimizing web server settings provided by Plesk directly impacts performance. Let's start by adjusting the Apache and Nginx configuration files.

• Apache Settings:

The Apache configuration file is typically located at /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf or /etc/apache2/apache2.conf. Check and update the following parameters as needed:

KeepAlive On
MaxKeepAliveRequests 100
KeepAliveTimeout 5
Timeout 30

These settings improve connection persistence, reducing CPU load.

• Nginx Settings:

The Nginx configuration file is usually found at /etc/nginx/nginx.conf. Review the following parameters:

worker_processes auto;
worker_connections 1024;
use epoll;

These settings allow Nginx to manage more connections with fewer resources.

2. PHP Settings

Plesk provides an interface for managing PHP settings. However, directly editing the .ini file can also be beneficial. The PHP configuration file is typically located at /etc/php/7.x/fpm/php.ini or /etc/php.ini. Optimize the following settings:

memory_limit = 256M
max_execution_time = 30
upload_max_filesize = 20M
post_max_size = 20M

These settings help your PHP applications run more efficiently.

3. MySQL Settings

To enhance MySQL database performance, you should optimize the my.cnf file. This file is generally located at /etc/my.cnf or /etc/mysql/my.cnf. Recommended settings are as follows:

[mysqld]
innodb_buffer_pool_size = 1G
max_connections = 100
query_cache_size = 64M
thread_cache_size = 8

These settings allow for faster processing of database queries.

4. Application and Website Optimization

Optimizing the content of your website and applications is also crucial. Follow these steps:

• Caching: Reduce server load by using content caching. Enable caching plugins in Plesk.
• Image Optimization: Optimize your images to reduce load times. Consider using WebP format.
• CDN Usage: Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to facilitate faster loading of resources.

Conclusion

Optimizing CPU and RAM consumption on Plesk is a critical step in improving your server's performance. By following the steps outlined above, you can overcome performance bottlenecks and utilize your server resources more efficiently. Remember that continuous monitoring and configuration updates are essential for long-term success.