You may know that Apache is a cross-platform, open source HTTP server. It has powerful capabilities and can be expanded with a wide range of modules. If you work as a developer or system administrator, you probably deal with Apache on a regular basis. Today, we would like to learn how to restart Apache. When you work with an Apache web server, common tasks are starting, stopping, and restarting/reloading in perfect order. However, instructions for managing the Apache service vary depending on the Linux distribution.
SystemD is the default init system and service manager on most modern Linux distributions. Older distributions are SysVinit-based and use the init script to control services. Another difference is the service name. The Apache service is known as apache2 on Ubuntu and Debian and httpd on Red Hat-based systems such as CentOS.
This post will teach us all the basic information we need to use Apache. So, stay tuned and keep your devices close.
What is Apache?
Before answering how to restart Apache, we need to know what it is. Apache is the most widely used web server software, powering 67% of all websites. It’s free, open-source software developed and maintained by the Apache Software Foundation. Apache is fast, reliable, and secure. And, with extensions and modules, it can be modified enough to fit the needs of a wide range of situations.
It is worth mentioning that most WordPress hosting companies use Apache web server software. However, WordPress can also work on alternative web server software.
How does Apache work?
Although it is referred to as a web server, Apache is not a physical server but software that runs on an HTTP server. Its job is to link a server with website users’ browsers and send files back and forth between them. Please note that Apache software runs on every operating system from Windows to Linux. When visitors request a page on your website, such as the homepage or “About Us” page, their browser requests your server and Apache responds with the necessary files, including text, graphics, and more.
HTTP protocol communicates between server and client and the Apache web server ensures a seamless and secure connection between two machines.
Because of its open-source architecture, Apache is highly configurable. As a result, web developers and users can modify their source code to suit the websites they create.
Additionally, Apache has many modules that allow server administrators to turn additional functionality on and off. Security, caching, Password authentication, URL rewriting, and other features are built into Apache web servers. Please note that you need to access .htaccess to configure Apache. All Hostinger web hosting plans support these Apache configuration files.
How to restart Apache?
Suppose you are logged in as a user with root or sudo powers. If you don’t, follow our other guide to see how you can. To control the Apache service, both the SystemD service unit and the SysVinit script require the following arguments:
- Start: This command starts the Apache service.
- Stop: Stops the Apache service.
- Restart: This command stops and then restarts Apache service.
- Reload: gracefully restarts the Apache service. The main Apache process terminates the child process, loads the new configuration, and starts the new child
- The process when the page is reloaded.
- Status: Displays the service status.
Are you using Debian or Ubuntu? Follow these guidelines
There have many answers on how to restart Apache! However, if you’re using Ubuntu or Debian, it’s best to follow the guidelines below. You may know, but SystemD is a system and service manager included in recent Ubuntu and Debian versions. To start the Apache service run the following command:
$ sudo systemctl start apache2
To stop the Apache service, run the below command:
$ sudo systemctl stop apache2
It is best to restart server processes whenever you change Apache configuration. To restart the Apache service, perform the following:
$ sudo systemctl restart apache2
Older (EOLed) versions of Ubuntu or Debian use the init.d script to start, stop, and restart the Apache daemon:
$ sudo service apache2 start $ sudo service apache2 stop $ sudo service apache2 restart
Are you using CentOS? don’t worry
Our guide is a little different for CentOS. Systemd is the RHEL/CentOS 7 & 8 system and service manager. So, if you wanted to start the Apache service, you could type:
$ sudo systemctl start httpd
Stop Apache service:
$ sudo systemctl start httpd
Restart the Apache service:
$ sudo systemctl restart httpd
To start, stop, and restart the Apache daemon on a CentOS 6 or older system that uses SysV, use the following commands:
$ sudo service httpd start $ sudo service httpd stop $sudo service httpd restart
Conclusion
Apache is one of the most widely used web servers, which enables you to host a secure website without much difficulty. It’s free and open source, making it a popular option for solopreneurs and small businesses seeking an online presence.
The Apache HTTP server accepts requests from web browsers such as Google Chrome, and Microsoft Edge and converts programming scripts into web pages whose content is visible to visitors. This means that Apache is one of the most important bridges between you and your visitors. You can design a WordPress website on Apache web server without any modifications. Additionally, Apache Server integrates with various alternative content management systems, web frameworks and programming languages. This makes it a great choice for all web hosting systems, including VPS and shared hosting.
We hope that you will know the question and get a clear answer to “How do you do Apache”.
