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Apache 2.x hosting offer many new features compare to Apache 1.3.x, including

• Unix Threading - On Unix systems with POSIX threads support, Apache can now run in a hybrid multiprocess, multithreaded mode. This improves scalability for many, but not all configurations.
• Better support for non-Unix platforms - Apache 2.0 is faster and more stable on non-Unix platforms such as BeOS, OS/2, and Windows. With the introduction of platform-specific multi-processing modules (MPMs) and the Apache Portable Runtime (APR), these platforms are now implemented in their native API, avoiding the often buggy and poorly performing POSIX-emulation layers.

And many more, check http://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.0/new_features_2_0.html

Lunarpages has recently upgrade their web hosting plan to include option to support Apache 2 hosting. Customer do not have to pay extra for this extra feature.  If you are not sure which one to choose, pick 1.3.x as Apache 1.3 has been very stable for years.

 Lunarpages is also running a promotion now, by entering coupon code “spring“, you will get $48 off your total bill for all 2 years hosting plan. Which also means, the hosting plan is as low as $4.95/month after discount.  Click here to enjoy this discount.

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BlueHost and Hostmonster, the best web hosting listed on my site, has upgraded their 750 servers 2 weeks ago.

 They are forcing all their clients to run Php 5 as default interpreter while keeping Php 4 as an option when Cpanel forcing their user to upgrade to the newer version

 Apache has been upgraded to version 2.2.6 from Apache 1.3.x and MySQL upgraded to version 5.2.5.

 PHP 4 is being deprecated and I believe more and more host will do similar upgrade very soon.

 

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FastCGI for PHP makes all your PHP applications run through mod_fastcgi instead of mod_phpsusexec. FastCGI applications are fast because they’re persistent. There is no per-request startup and initialization overhead. This makes possible the development of applications which would otherwise be impractical within the CGI paradigm (e.g. a huge PHP script, or an application which requires a connection to one or more databases).

Advantages :

• PHP scripts will run faster. The PHP interpreter is loaded into memory rather than calling from storage for every hit, greatly improving performance of your scripted site.
• You will use less Server Resources. Since the server does not have load the PHP interpreter for each hit, you will be able to accommodate a higher traffic site without exceeding your CPU quota.
• NO modifications to your existing code are required. Everything you currently run will work with FastCGI for PHP.

Potential Problem / Limitation :

• You will only have one php.ini file available for all subdirectories (e.g. /home/USERNAME/public_html/php.ini). This is necessary to help optimize the website code as much as possible. If you need multiple php.ini files to accommodate different scripting needs, you can disable FastCGI for PHP on any of your subdirectories while leaving the rest of the account enabled for performance. You may have to contact support if you need to do this.
• There can be a few minute delay in any updates you make to your PHP environment (ie, php.ini changes). Since your php.ini is loaded into memory for greater speed, every hit does not re-read it from storage.

Not all PHP host offer this service, but BlueHost and Hostmonster does offer PHP 5 FastCGI feature.

Related :

Understanding FastCGI Application Performance.

About author : This original article is property of Top 10 Web Hosting (http://www.top10webhosting.com). List of best web hosting services company offering PHP and MySQL. Compare & save ! on web hosting fee.

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