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Need guidance/clarification regarding Apache restart error messages (SIGTERM, suEXEC, Digest)
I am running Redhat Enterprise 3 and using the latest iteration of Webmin. I just added the first virtual domain to Apache (something I have done many times with Redhat 7.3) using Webmin's Apache module. When I apply the changes by restarting Apache the website becomes live using its IP address, as expected. (I have not created a dns record as yet). However, I also see the following 'notice' level error messages in Webmin. When I stop and then restart Apache I do not get these error messages, only when using restart. I am a Linux Novice (note that I use Webmin :-)) I would like to better understand:
1. What these messages refer to.
2. Why they appear upon restart but not during a normal stop - then - start.
3. I suspect I am just too paranoid and that as 'notice' level messages they are simply 'FYIs' from the system. Can I simply ignore them?
Many thanks, Mike
++++++++++
[Wed Sep 22 14:51:22 2004] [notice] Apache/2.0.46 (Red Hat) configured -- resuming normal operations
[Wed Sep 22 14:51:33 2004] [notice] caught SIGTERM, shutting down
[Wed Sep 22 14:51:35 2004] [notice] suEXEC mechanism enabled (wrapper: /usr/sbin/suexec)
[Wed Sep 22 14:51:36 2004] [notice] Digest: generating secret for digest authentication ...
[Wed Sep 22 14:51:36 2004] [notice] Digest: done
++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++ ++++++
1. What these messages refer to.
2. Why they appear upon restart but not during a normal stop - then - start.
3. I suspect I am just too paranoid and that as 'notice' level messages they are simply 'FYIs' from the system. Can I simply ignore them?
Many thanks, Mike
++++++++++
[Wed Sep 22 14:51:22 2004] [notice] Apache/2.0.46 (Red Hat) configured -- resuming normal operations
[Wed Sep 22 14:51:33 2004] [notice] caught SIGTERM, shutting down
[Wed Sep 22 14:51:35 2004] [notice] suEXEC mechanism enabled (wrapper: /usr/sbin/suexec)
[Wed Sep 22 14:51:36 2004] [notice] Digest: generating secret for digest authentication ...
[Wed Sep 22 14:51:36 2004] [notice] Digest: done
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
These are normal operational messages. There's nothing of concern here.
[Wed Sep 22 14:51:22 2004] [notice] Apache/2.0.46 (Red Hat) configured -- resuming normal operations
Apache is telling you it has successfully read its configuration file and is running normally.
[Wed Sep 22 14:51:33 2004] [notice] caught SIGTERM, shutting down
Here, it is logging the fact that the OS sent it a "Signal - Terminate" message, and is shutting itself down in accordance with the request from the OS
[Wed Sep 22 14:51:35 2004] [notice] suEXEC mechanism enabled (wrapper: /usr/sbin/suexec)
It is apparently starting back up at this point - it has noticed that it is configured for suwrapper, and its logging level demands that the fact be recorded in the log
[Wed Sep 22 14:51:36 2004] [notice] Digest: generating secret for digest authentication ...
Apache is preparing message digest (hash function, essentially) for use with suexec and making note of this fact (again, because the logging level demands it)
[Wed Sep 22 14:51:36 2004] [notice] Digest: done
The webserver has finished creating the message digest (this lets you evaluate how much time it spends on that - not much, it looks like)
Apache is telling you it has successfully read its configuration file and is running normally.
[Wed Sep 22 14:51:33 2004] [notice] caught SIGTERM, shutting down
Here, it is logging the fact that the OS sent it a "Signal - Terminate" message, and is shutting itself down in accordance with the request from the OS
[Wed Sep 22 14:51:35 2004] [notice] suEXEC mechanism enabled (wrapper: /usr/sbin/suexec)
It is apparently starting back up at this point - it has noticed that it is configured for suwrapper, and its logging level demands that the fact be recorded in the log
[Wed Sep 22 14:51:36 2004] [notice] Digest: generating secret for digest authentication ...
Apache is preparing message digest (hash function, essentially) for use with suexec and making note of this fact (again, because the logging level demands it)
[Wed Sep 22 14:51:36 2004] [notice] Digest: done
The webserver has finished creating the message digest (this lets you evaluate how much time it spends on that - not much, it looks like)
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hey you machine is under attack! Boot to your installation CD, and reinstall!
just kidding!
PsiCOP comment is excellent!!!.
cheers,
PsiCOP comment is excellent!!!.
cheers,
ASKER
Thanks PsiCOP!
My paranoia on this was because my vendor, Interland, has not yet built a box without errors or ommitted services. As a struggling novice with self-managed servers, I did not want to assume the obvious. (I have to move several client websites to the box this week.) The old 7.3 build must have had a lower level of logging. Thanks for pointing out that this can be changed.
I greatly appreciate your clear explanation and reassurance.
Mike
My paranoia on this was because my vendor, Interland, has not yet built a box without errors or ommitted services. As a struggling novice with self-managed servers, I did not want to assume the obvious. (I have to move several client websites to the box this week.) The old 7.3 build must have had a lower level of logging. Thanks for pointing out that this can be changed.
I greatly appreciate your clear explanation and reassurance.
Mike