Plesk Server Configurations for High Traffic Sites

Introduction

High-traffic websites require careful configuration for performance and security. Plesk is an ideal control panel for such sites. In this article, we will discuss ways to optimize server configurations for high-traffic sites using Plesk.

The Logic of Optimization

Server optimization is crucial to enhance resource utilization, response times, and security. In high-traffic sites, server configuration, database settings, and web server optimization must be performed to improve user experience. Below are the step-by-step settings to be made with Plesk.

Plesk Server Configuration

1. Apache and Nginx Settings

Plesk uses a combination of Apache and Nginx to improve performance. Nginx is used to serve static content, while Apache is preferred for dynamic content. You can enhance performance with the following settings:

• Apache Configuration: Open /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf and add the following parameters:

KeepAlive On
MaxKeepAliveRequests 100
KeepAliveTimeout 5

• Nginx Configuration: Open /etc/nginx/nginx.conf and add the following parameters:

worker_processes auto;
worker_connections 1024;

2. MySQL Settings

The MySQL database plays a critical role in high-traffic sites. You can enhance database performance by making the following settings in /etc/my.cnf:

• MySQL Configuration:

[mysqld]
innodb_buffer_pool_size = 1G
query_cache_size = 128M
max_connections = 200

3. DDoS Protection

High-traffic sites can be vulnerable to DDoS attacks. To provide DDoS protection on Plesk, follow these steps:

• ModSecurity Installation: Enable ModSecurity via Plesk.
• Fail2Ban Settings: Add the following lines to /etc/fail2ban/jail.local:

[nginx-http-auth]
enabled = true
filter = nginx-http-auth
action = iptables[name=HTTP, port=http, protocol=tcp]
logpath = /var/log/nginx/error.log
maxretry = 5
bantime = 86400

4. SSL Certificate

Using an SSL certificate is mandatory for security. You can easily create an SSL certificate using Let's Encrypt through Plesk. Follow these steps:

• Via Plesk Panel: Domain > SSL/TLS Certificates > Select Let's Encrypt and proceed with the installation.

Conclusion

Configuring Plesk for high-traffic sites is critical for performance and security. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can optimize your server and improve user experience.