[Please note that even though I cite Interbase in my example, I believe my question can be generalized to all databases that allow persistent connections] I recently installed a trial version of Interbase on a development server that includes a nifty tool that allows me to monitor, among other things, the number of active connections to my server. After playing with this feature briefly, I noticed that SEVERAL connections are opened between my web server and the database. At first, I thought this was a little weird because I use the ibase_pconnect() function to establish communication with my database, and I expected to see only 1 connection. However, after doing some reading, I discovered that this behavior is probably by design - the result of Apache spawning several child processes, each one establishing its own persistent connection(s) to the database. What I am baffled by is the fact that the total nunber of connections between the web server and my database seems to max out at 9. Why 9? Not that I have a problem with this number. I just want to understand how this limit was reached so that I might predict how the application will perform in a production capacity. I have checked my Apache config (httpd.conf) file, and as far as I can tell, the maximum number of child processes is set to 20. So again I ask: why does the number of connections max out at 9? Shouldn't they max out at 20 or 21 (1 parent + 20 children)? And finally, I have noticed that the connections, once established, NEVER expire. I realize that this is sort of the point with persistent connections, but I was curious whether persistent connections are ever terminated or recycled. Any explanations/impressions would be appreciated. Mike FYI... My php.ini file is set to allow unlimited connections/unlimited persistent connections. Also, the trial license of the database I am testing claims to be limited to 1 client, and the only client accessing the database is my web app. Just thought I'd mention that as I don't think the number of connections has any direct correlation to the client license. -- PHP General Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php
