httpd_config.conf

Learning Focus

By the end of this lesson you will understand the structure and purpose of httpd_config.conf, know where it lives, what major sections it contains, and how to read and edit it safely.

What It Is

httpd_config.conf is the main server-level configuration file for OpenLiteSpeed. It defines global behavior including listeners, server process settings, security options, logging, and includes for virtual host configurations.

Default location:

/usr/local/lsws/conf/httpd_config.conf

File Structure Overview

Key Sections

Section	What It Controls
serverName	The server hostname
listener	Port bindings, IP bindings, SSL settings
virtualhost	References to per-vhost config files
tuning	Connection limits, keep-alive, buffer sizes
security	Access control, request filtering
accessLog	Access log format and path
errorLog	Error log verbosity and path

Reading the File

# View the main config
cat /usr/local/lsws/conf/httpd_config.conf

# Search for listener definitions
grep -n "listener" /usr/local/lsws/conf/httpd_config.conf

# Search for virtual host references
grep -n "virtualhost" /usr/local/lsws/conf/httpd_config.conf

# Check file size and last modified
stat /usr/local/lsws/conf/httpd_config.conf

Editing Safely

warning

Always back up the file before editing. A syntax error in httpd_config.conf can prevent OpenLiteSpeed from starting.

# 1) Backup before editing
sudo cp /usr/local/lsws/conf/httpd_config.conf \
       /usr/local/lsws/conf/httpd_config.conf.bak

# 2) Edit with your preferred editor
sudo nano /usr/local/lsws/conf/httpd_config.conf

# 3) Reload to apply changes
sudo /usr/local/lsws/bin/lswsctrl restart

# 4) Check for errors
tail -30 /usr/local/lsws/logs/error.log

WebAdmin vs File Editing

Method	Best For
WebAdmin	Safer for beginners; validates on save
File editing	Faster for experienced admins; scriptable

Most settings changed in WebAdmin are written back to httpd_config.conf. Both methods affect the same file.

Key Takeaways

• httpd_config.conf is the single source of truth for server-wide settings.
• When the server fails to load or behaves unexpectedly across all sites, this file is one of the first places to inspect.
• Always backup before editing and check error logs after reloading.

What's Next

• Continue to vhconf.conf to learn about per-virtual-host configuration.