Could all of you experienced host list the pros and cons of mod_gzip...

http://www.webhostingtalk.com/search.php?s=&action=showresults&searchid=710119&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending

(Searched for 'pros cons gzip')

In my experience, pros include:

- faster page loads
- smaller bandwidth consumption

cons include:

- none, really. it uses a bit more cpu to compress things on the way out, but it's hardly noticable on any of our high-traffic servers.

http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=54611&highlight=gzip
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=57975&highlight=gzip
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=57748&highlight=gzip

Originally posted by debug
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=54611&highlight=gzip
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=57975&highlight=gzip
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=57748&highlight=gzip

Those threads seem to be discussing gzip in Vbulletin, *not* mod_gzip for the web server.

For example, you needn't compile PHP with zlib to use mod_gzip. You simply have the web server configured to compress any data that will be text output, such as text files, HTML, anything that outputs text or HTML (like CGI, PHP or other scripts).

Anyway, you might hear pros and cons about how it reduces bandwidth but adds to the resources used to compress the file before sending it. I, as many others have, find this inaccurate. The reason for this is, it's a faster ratio to compress the file and send the compressed file size, than it is to have a larger file sent, as it takes additional disk and CPU time to serve up a larger file. Compared, unless there's something wrong, it should *reduce* CPU load and not add to it. If properly configured, it should help in probably every way (if *properly configured*).

Again, those threads are speaking in regards to gzip on VB, not the web server module itself and I don't see the value to that and I can see why *that* might indeed cause additional load on the system, but that's not really discussing mod_gzip either.

mod_gzip could raise the CPU usage pretty high during peak times if you have sites that get alot of hits.

Originally posted by jayjay
mod_gzip could raise the CPU usage pretty high during peak times if you have sites that get alot of hits.

I find this to be the opposite effect. What configuration are you using to have this happen? Is it built as a core module or is it loaded? What OS? What version of mod_gzip? What version of Apache? Zlib? What does the configuration look like? Are you using work files? What are the settings?

I've seen multiple configuration profiles for mod_gzip posted (with different mem sizes, etc.). You certainly seem to have mod_gzip working optimally. What settings do you recommend?

PS I hear mod_gzip is more efficient than using PHP's ob_gzhandler. Not to mention that it can compress text file types other than PHP as well.

Originally posted by 2host.com


Those threads seem to be discussing gzip in Vbulletin, *not* mod_gzip for the web server...



You are right but i wanted to give these links.

Mod_giz (apache) and gzip. What is the best, the fastest compression scheme a Vbb in particular or it doesn't matter ?