How to Add Apache Modules

Your dedicated server uses the Apached HTTP Server by default. When it is loaded, it comes with a number of commonly distributed modules (for more information on these modules, see Apache HTTP modules). These modules are also called Dynamically Shared Objects (DSOs) and may be loaded while the Apache server is already running. Normally, Apache loads a DSO through a directive in the HTTPD.CONF file.

Making changes to this file requires that you have root access to the server as well as experience with making changes in this configuration file. If you are not familiar with making a change in this file, then it is highly recommended that you provide a verified support request to our live technical support team.

Adding or Deleting Modules

If you are adding or deleting modules from the HTTP.CONF, then the Apache Server must be reloaded or restarted. If the module is provided by a separate package, the line specifying the module must appear within the modules configuration file in the /etc/httpd/conf.d/ directory.

Creating a New Module

If you have created a new module make sure to first install the httpd-developement package which contains the include files, header files, and the Apache extension application. This can be found in the /usr/sbin/apxs.

Compiling a Newly Written Module

Use /usr/sbin/apxs to compile the module sources that are outside of the Apache source tree. If you need more information for the /usr/sbin/apxs command, then please see the Apache documentation online at as well as the apxs man page. When the file has been compiled, put the module in the /usr/lib/httpd/modules/ directory.

Add LoadModule line to HTTPD.CONF

In order to add a LoadModule line in the HTTPD.CONF, use the following format:

LoadModule <module-name></module-name> <path/to/module.so>

• Module-name is the name of the module
• path/to/module.so is the path to the module

That completes the tutorial for adding an Apache Module to your Dedicated Hosting server. Remember that when you add a module, you need to restart your Apache Web service before the newly added module can be seen by the web service.