Apache web server installation questions

Source or Binary ? Any suggestion ?

There is no one correct decision for everyone or one correct decision for you alone. By compiling from source, you are in the position to control everything. You can choose the compile-time options and the modules, and you can make changes to the source code. This process will consume a lot of your time, especially if you measure the time over the lifetime of the installation (it is the only correct way to measure time) and if you intend to use modules with frequent releases (e.g., PHP).

Installation and upgrade is a breeze when binary distributions are used now that many vendors have tools to have operating systems updated automatically. You exchange some control over the installation in return for not having to do everything yourself. However, this choice means you will have to wait for security patches or for the latest version of your favorite module. In fact, the latest version of Apache or your favorite module may never come since most vendors choose to use one version in a distribution and only issue patches to that version to fix potential problems. This is a standard practice, which vendors use to produce stable distributions.

The Apache version you intend to use will affect your decision. For example, nothing much happens in the 1.x branch, but frequent releases (with significant improvements) occur in the 2.x branch. Some operating system vendors have moved on to the 2.x branch, yet others remain faithful to the proven and trusted 1.x branch.

Static Binary or Dynamic Modules ?

Originally Posted by kasparyan

Static Binary or Dynamic Modules ?

Static binary is reportedly faster. If you want to squeeze the last bit of performance out of your server, choose this option. But, as hardware is becoming faster and faster, the differences between the two versions will no longer make a difference.

Better you use the the version provided with the basic linux and use up2date/apt-get to update it to the latest version. That's easier.

[riscphree]

Easier is not always better, it may be easier to install, but will it be able to support what you throw at it?

All in all, if you have the time and are familiar with compiling, I prefer to do that, since it makes it for the machine that its on. Just kinda makes sense to me I guess.

for me, I will go for source compiling as you may better customize the installation options