Will setting MaxConnectionsPerChild for Apache HTTP server help or hurt

Question

While upgrading Apache HTTP Server to version 2.4 to go with Confluence 6, I noticed the MaxConnectionsPerChild setting mentioned.

We have an issue with the Confluence server CPU usage maxing out from time to time, and have not found a permanent solution.  Currently on Confluence 5.9.9.

I am wondering if anyone has used MaxConnectionsPerChild with Apache HTTP Server used for Confluence , and what the effects (positive and negative) were.

Walter DeMiller · Answer

Ann, Thanks for the answer.

I forgot to say I have opened two or three tickets over time.  We have tried the various proferred solutions such as changing the maxtotal. We have also disabled various modules and/in various plug-ins.  The logs are not definitive

The issue returns after a while.

I saw where it said "MaxConnectionsPerChild is a workaround for memory leaks", but am wondering, if someone else has used it with Confluence, and what the experience was like for them.

Am hoping the upgrade to Apache 2.4 and Confluence 6.2 will fix it.

AnnWorley · Answer

From this Stack Overflow post, MaxConnectionsPerChild is a workaround for memory leaks, where you are experiencing high CPU usage.

To chase down the CPU spikes, please open a ticket at https://getsupport.atlassian.com and include the top output and thread dumps as described in Thread dumps and CPU Profiling.