Limit number of users on Apache Web Server

[uggers]

Hi all,

I have an apache web server and would like to limit the number of simultaneous users to my site. Is this possible by configuring the config files? If so how? Cant find any info on the Apache user guide.

Thanks

Uggers

[jdMorgan]

Unless you are specifically talking about users who have already been required to log in (to Apache), then Apache has no concept of "users." It only sees HTTP transactions: Page requested, page served, done; logo image requested, logo served; done; CSS file requested, CSS file served, done; product photo requested, photo served, done.

At the most basic level, Apache is just a file server, but a file server that lets users use URLs instead of filenames specific to the operating system. In order for your server to comprehend "users" and "user sessions" and anything beyond "file requests," you need to define and implement some additional way of "counting users" by using (usually) cookies and scripts.

And then there is the problem of what to do with the 'extra' users if you limit users: Unless your Web site is absolutely the best or the only one of its kind, it is unlikely that these extra users will 'come back later,' no matter how nicely you ask. As can be seen in many ways, if users/customers want it, they want it right *now* - If you don't provide it right now, they'll go elsewhere.

Jim