apache2ctl

Start the Apache daemon

$ sudo apache2ctl start

$ sudo apache2ctl stop

$ sudo apache2ctl restart

$ sudo apache2ctl -t

$ sudo apache2ctl -M

$ sudo apache2ctl graceful

apache2ctl command
apache2ctl [httpd-argument]

apache2ctl is a front end to the Apache HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) server designed to help administrators manage the Apache daemon. This command comes with Debian-based operating systems; for RHEL-based ones see httpd.

start

Start the Apache daemon; errors if already running

Stop the Apache daemon

Restart Apache via SIGHUP; includes config validation

Restart without terminating active connections

Stop Apache without aborting current connections

Show brief operational status report

Display comprehensive status via mod_status (requires lynx)

Validate syntax in configuration files

Test configuration file syntax

List loaded modules

Print full Apache configuration

/etc/apache2/apache2.conf

Main configuration file on Debian/Ubuntu systems.

Virtual host configuration files, enabled via a2ensite.

Module configuration files, enabled via a2enmod.

Environment variables for the Apache process (user, group, pid file).

Listen directives specifying which ports Apache binds to.

Debian requires environment variables APACHE_RUN_USER, APACHE_RUN_GROUP, and APACHE_PID_FILE set in /etc/apache2/envvars.

Part of the Apache HTTP Server project, one of the oldest and most widely used web servers, developed by the Apache Software Foundation.

apachectl(8), a2enmod(8), a2dismod(8), a2ensite(8), httpd(8)