Setting Up Apache with PHP-FPM on Ubuntu 24.04

Install PHP

Install PHP on the Ubuntu 24.04 server using package manager commands. Verify the installation by running `php -v`.

Successful output looks like this: PHP 8.3.6 (cli) (built: May 23 2024 11:34:18) (NTS).

sudo apt update
sudo apt install php8.3 php-mbstring php-pear

Confirm the installation details by running the command below.

php -i | head

Successful execution generates output matching these lines.

phpinfo()
PHP Version => 8.3.6

System => Linux Ubuntu 6.11.0-17-generic #17~24.04.2-Ubuntu SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Mon Jan 20 22:48:29 UTC 2 x86_64
Build Date => Dec  2 2024 12:36:18
Build System => Linux
Server API => Command Line Interface
Virtual Directory Support => disabled
Configuration File (php.ini) Path => /etc/php/8.3/cli
Loaded Configuration File => /etc/php/8.3/cli/php.ini

Install and enable PHP-FPM

Install the PHP-FPM package alongside Apache by running the terminal command below.

sudo  apt install php8.3-fpm

Enable the required PHP-FPM module next.

sudo a2enmod proxy_fcgi setenvif
sudo a2enconf php8.3-fpm

Restart both Apache and PHP-FPM services.

sudo systemctl restart php8.3-fpm apache2

Use PHP-FPM with Apache

Configuring PHP-FPM to work with Apache requires editing specific configuration files to establish communication channels. Completing these steps ensures proper integration on Ubuntu 24.04.

Open the primary PHP-FPM configuration file.

sudo nano /etc/php/8.3/fpm/pool.d/www.conf

Locate and comment out the active listen directive. Reference the listen directive configured with [127.0.0.1:9000].

; Note: This value is mandatory.

;listen = /run/php/php8.3-fpm.sock
listen = 127.0.0.1:9000

Save changes, close the editor, and restart PHP-FPM.

Insert the highlighted code block into the virtual host configuration to route PHP requests through FPM.

<VirtualHost *:80>
  ServerName example.com
  ServerAdmin admin@example.com
  DocumentRoot /var/www/example.com
    
  <Directory /var/www/example.com/>
       Options FollowSymlinks
       AllowOverride All
       Require all granted
  </Directory>

  <FilesMatch ".php$">
       SetHandler "proxy:fcgi://127.0.0.1:9000/"
  </FilesMatch>

       ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/error.log
       CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/access.log combined
</VirtualHost>

Verify Apache successfully communicates with PHP-FPM.

Configuration is complete.

Conclusion:

Integrating PHP-FPM with Apache boosts overall application performance and reliability.

• Improved Performance: PHP-FPM allows simultaneous handling of multiple requests, leading to faster response times.
• Efficient Resource Management: It manages PHP worker pools, optimizing server resource utilization.
• Enhanced Reliability: With the ability to manage multiple PHP processes, applications become more robust and less prone to failures.
• Easy Installation: The installation and configuration process is straightforward, allowing for quick setup.
• Future-Proofing: Keeping PHP and its components updated ensures your server remains secure and efficient.

Separating PHP processing from core Apache threads allows web servers to handle higher request volumes simultaneously. Independent process management reduces load times and improves overall site responsiveness.