Global PHP Settings via Panel Settings (Server-Wide)
cPGuard X provides flexible options to customize PHP behavior, allowing you to fine-tune settings based on your server's specific requirements. Understanding the two available configuration methods helps you manage PHP efficiently across single or multi-site environments.
Two Ways to Configure PHP in cPGuard X
| Method | Scope | Best Used When |
|---|---|---|
| Per-Domain Configuration | Applies to a single website | Different sites need different PHP settings |
| Global PHP Configuration | Applies server-wide to all websites | You want consistent base settings across all sites |
This guide focuses on the Global PHP Configuration approach. For per-domain settings, refer to the Per-Domain PHP Settings guide.
What is Global PHP Configuration?
Global PHP settings act as default base configurations that apply to all websites hosted on the server. These defaults are used for:
- Newly created websites that haven't been individually configured
- Consistent server-wide PHP behavior without per-site overrides
- Centralised management of
php.inivalues and PHP-FPM process settings
Global settings can always be overridden at the individual website level through the per-domain PHP settings interface.
Steps to Configure Global PHP Settings
Step 1 : Access Panel Settings
Log in to your cPGuard X control panel and navigate to the Settings section from the main dashboard.
Step 2 : Locate the PHP Configuration Options
Under Settings, you will find two PHP-related configuration sections:
-
PHP INI Configuration — for managing
php.inidirectives server-wide
-
PHP-FPM Settings — for managing process management parameters server-wide
Step 3 : Adjust Directives and Save
Modify the PHP directives and FPM parameters as required. Common directives you may want to configure include:
PHP INI Configuration
| Directive | Description |
|---|---|
memory_limit | Maximum amount of memory a PHP script may consume |
max_execution_time | Maximum time (in seconds) a script is allowed to run |
max_input_time | Maximum time in seconds a script is allowed to parse input data |
post_max_size | Maximum size of POST data PHP will accept |
upload_max_filesize | Maximum size of an uploaded file |
error_reporting | Set the level of error reporting |
display_errors | Whether to display errors in the browser output |
log_errors | Enable the logging of PHP errors |
allow_url_fopen | Allows PHP file functions to retrieve data from remote locations over FTP or HTTP |
file_uploads | Allows uploading files over HTTP |
short_open_tag | Allows the short form of the PHP's open tag |
opcache.enable | Enables the opcode cache |
disable_functions | This directive allows you to disable certain functions |
PHP-FPM Settings
| Directive | Description |
|---|---|
pm | Defines the process management mode: static, dynamic, or ondemand |
pm.max_children | Sets the limit on the number of simultaneous requests that will be served |
pm.max_requests | Specifies how many requests each PHP process handles before restarting |
pm.start_servers | Number of PHP processes started on service launch |
pm.min_spare_servers | Minimum number of idle PHP processes to keep available |
pm.max_spare_servers | Maximum number of idle PHP processes allowed |
Once you have made the necessary changes, click Save to apply the configuration.
These global settings will take effect across all websites on the server unless a specific website has its own PHP settings configured at the domain level.
Global vs Per-Domain: How Overrides Work
cPGuard X uses a straightforward override hierarchy. Which means If a website has its own PHP settings configured, those take priority over the global defaults. If no per-domain settings exist, the global configuration applies automatically.
Summary
The Global PHP Settings feature in cPGuard X gives server administrators a single place to define consistent, server-wide PHP defaults. This is particularly useful when managing multiple websites and wanting to ensure a reliable baseline configuration without needing to configure each site individually.
For more granular control on a per-site basis, see Per-Domain PHP Settings.