apache2
Manage the Apache web server
SYNOPSIS
apache2 [-D] [-d directory] [-k command] [-C password] [-c configfile] [-v] [-V] [-h] [command]
command: start|stop|restart|reload|graceful|graceful-stop|status|configtest|fullstatus|foreground
PARAMETERS
-D
Do not daemonise (run in foreground)
-d directory
Chdir to directory before daemonising
-k command
Run command: start|stop|restart|reload|graceful|graceful-stop|configtest|status|fullstatus|foreground
-C password
Decode Base64 password for -k start
-c configfile
Use alternate config file
-v
Show version
-V
Verbose compile settings
-h
Display help
DESCRIPTION
The apache2 command is a wrapper script on Debian-based systems like Ubuntu for managing the Apache HTTP Server (version 2.x). It simplifies starting, stopping, restarting, and testing the robust, modular web server used to host millions of websites worldwide.
Apache2 excels in handling static/dynamic content, virtual hosts, SSL/TLS, CGI, PHP, and extensions via loadable modules. The script interacts with the underlying apache2-mpm-* binaries, PID files in /var/run/apache2/, and configurations in /etc/apache2/.
Typical workflows: Use sudo apache2 configtest to validate syntax before changes; sudo apache2 restart applies updates; sudo apache2 graceful reloads without dropping connections. Modules/sites are enabled with helper tools like a2enmod/a2ensite, symlinking configs.
Requires root privileges for control operations. Integrates with systemd via apache2.service. Logs errors to /var/log/apache2/error.log and access to access.log. Ideal for production due to its reliability and community support.
CAVEATS
Requires sudo/root for start/stop/restart. Config errors halt startup. High memory use with many modules/virtual hosts. Firewall/SELinux may block ports.
KEY PATHS
Config: /etc/apache2/apache2.conf
Sites: /etc/apache2/sites-available/
Modules: /etc/apache2/mods-available/
PID: /var/run/apache2/apache2.pid
LOGS
Error: /var/log/apache2/error.log
Access: /var/log/apache2/access.log
Use tail -f for monitoring
HISTORY
Introduced in Debian's apache2 package for Apache 2.0 (2002), succeeding Apache 1.x. Apache HTTP Server started in 1995 as a patch series; 2.x added threading, better performance. Maintained by Apache Software Foundation.
