Description

Most servers with php installed on them come with default settings that are used server wide. However, sometimes a program will require these php settings to be changed and instead of changing the settings for the entire server a person can overwrite the default settings for just a particular location (or domain). This is done by installing a file called php.ini in the directory where the particular php scripts are located.

Determine current php settings

One of the first things you may want to do before installing a php.ini file would be to check to see what the server’s php settings are currently. This can be done by making a simple php script like the one shown. The reasoning for this is to see if there is even a need to overwrite the php settings or if the problem is located elsewhere.

//phptest.php
<?php
phpinfo();
?>

Implementing php.ini

Step 1: Download the example php.ini.
Step 2: Upload the php.ini file to the directory where the php scripts are located. Note: If the file is named php.ini.default please rename it to php.ini.
Step 3: Edit the settings in the php.ini file that you want to change.

Common uses for php.ini

• Increase post and upload sizes

; Maximum size of POST data that PHP will accept.
post_max_size = 50M

; Maximum allowed size for uploaded files.
upload_max_filesize = 50M

Note: To change the upload size you must change both the post_max_size and upload_max_filesize sections. The post_max_size will need to be larger than the upload_max_filesize.
Note: Most servers don’t care what the upload size is as long as you can upload all the content within a limited number of minutes. If it takes longer than what that server allows your connection will time out and the upload will fail.

• Increase memory available for use

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
; Resource Limits ;
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

memory_limit = 128M      ; Maximum amount of memory a script may consume (16MB)

• Toggle safe mode on and off

; Safe Mode
;
safe_mode = Off