How to add custom PHP settings and additional Apache/Nginx directives in ISPConfig Print

As a client or reseller with Noiz hosting, you can efficiently manage advanced configurations for your websites directly through the ISPConfig control panel. This capability is particularly useful for website developers seeking to optimize performance, enhance security, or address specific application requirements. In this guide, we outline the process for adjusting PHP settings—such as changing the timezone, increasing the maximum upload file size, and disabling OPcache—along with adding custom Apache or Nginx directives. These modifications are applied per website, ensuring isolation from other sites on the server.

This approach leverages ISPConfig's user-friendly interface, allowing changes without server-level access. All steps are performed in the Options tab under the website settings, as supported by the ISPConfig 3.1 Manual and community resources.

Prerequisites

• Valid login credentials for the ISPConfig control panel as a client or reseller.
• Administrative access to the specific website domain within ISPConfig.
• Basic understanding of PHP directives and web server configurations (e.g., familiarity with php.ini syntax).
• Ensure your website uses a compatible PHP mode, such as PHP-FPM, FastCGI, CGI, or SuPHP, as these support custom php.ini overrides. Mod-PHP may require directives in the Apache section instead.

Note: Changes may take a few minutes to propagate, as ISPConfig regenerates configuration files automatically. Always test modifications on a staging environment to avoid disrupting live sites.

Step 1: Log In to the ISPConfig Control Panel

1. Navigate to your Noiz-provided ISPConfig login URL (typically something like https://your-server-ip:8080 or a custom domain).
2. Enter your username and password.
3. Upon successful login, you will see the dashboard with tabs for Sites, Email, DNS, and more.

Step 2: Navigate to the Website Options Tab

1. Click on the Sites tab in the top menu.
2. Select Website from the submenu (or directly if listed).
3. In the list of websites, click on the domain you wish to configure.
4. Switch to the Options tab. This section includes fields for PHP-FPM performance, custom php.ini settings, Apache Directives (for Apache servers), and Nginx Directives (for Nginx servers).

The Options tab resembles the following (based on standard ISPConfig interfaces):

• PHP-FPM settings for process management.
• A textarea for Custom php.ini settings.
• A textarea for Apache or Nginx Directives.

Step 3: Configure Custom PHP Settings

The Custom php.ini settings field allows you to override global PHP configurations on a per-site basis. Enter directives one per line, using standard php.ini syntax (e.g., key = value). These are applied to modes like PHP-FPM, FastCGI, CGI, or SuPHP.

Changing the PHP Timezone

To set a specific timezone (e.g., for accurate date handling in applications like WordPress or custom scripts):

1. In the Custom php.ini settings textarea, add:

date.timezone = Europe/Dublin

Replace Europe/Dublin with your desired timezone (e.g., Africa/Johannesburg). Refer to the PHP timezone list for valid options.

2. Save the changes. ISPConfig will update the site's php.ini file accordingly.

This ensures functions like date() use the correct timezone, preventing errors in logging or scheduling.

Increasing the Maximum PHP Upload Size

For applications requiring larger file uploads (e.g., media-heavy CMS platforms):

1. Add the following lines to the Custom php.ini settings:

upload_max_filesize = 64M
post_max_size = 64M

Adjust the values (e.g., 128M) based on your needs, but stay within your hosting plan's limits to avoid resource exhaustion.

2. Optionally, increase execution time for large uploads:

max_execution_time = 300
max_input_time = 300

3. Save and verify by uploading a test file or checking phpinfo() output.

These settings override the server's default limits, enabling smoother file handling in forms or admin panels.

Disabling OPcache

OPcache improves performance by caching compiled PHP code but may cause issues during development or with certain plugins. To disable it:

1. Add this line to the Custom php.ini settings:

opcache.enable = 0

2. Save the changes. This prevents opcode caching for the site, which can be re-enabled by setting the value to 1.

Verify by checking phpinfo()—look for "Opcode Caching" listed as "Disabled."

Step 4: Add Custom Apache or Nginx Directives

For web server-specific tweaks, such as redirects, security headers, or proxy configurations, use the Apache Directives (Apache servers) or Nginx Directives (Nginx servers) textarea. Enter one directive per line, following Apache or Nginx syntax.

Adding Apache Directives

Examples include URL redirects or header modifications:

1. For a 301 redirect from non-www to www:

Redirect 301 / https://www.example.com/

2. To set security headers:

Header always set X-Frame-Options "SAMEORIGIN"
Header always set X-Content-Type-Options "nosniff"

3. Save. ISPConfig inserts these into the site's virtual host configuration.

Adding Nginx Directives

For Nginx setups, similar directives apply:

1. For a location-based redirect:

location /old-path {
    return 301 /new-path;
}

2. To enable gzip compression:

gzip on;
gzip_types text/plain text/css application/javascript;

3. Save. These are added to the site's Nginx vhost block.

Directives are powerful but can break site functionality if incorrect—test thoroughly.

Step 5: Adjust PHP-FPM Performance Settings (Optional)

If your site uses PHP-FPM, fine-tune resource allocation in the dedicated section:

• Process Manager: Choose ondemand for low-traffic sites to spawn processes as needed, or dynamic for balanced performance.
• Max Children: Set to 40 (or based on traffic) to limit concurrent processes.
• Idle Timeout: Adjust to 40 seconds for efficiency.

Save to apply. These settings help optimize CPU and memory usage without affecting other sites.

Verification and Troubleshooting

• After saving, wait 1-2 minutes and refresh your site.
• Create a phpinfo.php file (<?php phpinfo(); ?>) in your document root to confirm changes (delete it afterward for security).
• Check server error logs via ISPConfig's Monitor tab if issues arise.
• Common pitfalls: Syntax errors in directives may cause 500 errors; ensure compatibility with your PHP mode.

If changes do not apply, contact Noiz support for assistance, providing details of your modifications.

Conclusion

Customizing PHP settings and web server directives in ISPConfig empowers Noiz clients to tailor their hosting environment precisely. By following these steps, website developers can enhance functionality, improve upload handling, and implement custom rules efficiently. For more advanced configurations, consult the ISPConfig Manual or Noiz's knowledge base. Always prioritize security and performance when making adjustments.