Nginx + PHP-FPM + MariaDB Tuning for OpenCart

Description

Default Nginx, PHP-FPM and MariaDB configs are designed for general use, not e-commerce specifics. OpenCart generates a specific load profile: short but intensive database queries, high concurrent sessions during promotions, peak loads at certain hours. Configuration without considering these factors leaves significant server resources unused.

We perform server stack tuning specifically for your store load profile — based on actual metrics analysis, not template recommendations.

What We Tune

• Nginx: worker_processes, worker_connections, keepalive, gzip, buffers
• PHP-FPM: pm mode (dynamic/ondemand), max_children, request_terminate_timeout
• MariaDB: innodb_buffer_pool_size, query_cache, max_connections, slow query log
• Slow query log analysis and optimisation of the slowest OpenCart queries
• OPcache configuration: opcache.memory_consumption, revalidate_freq

Methodology

We start by collecting current metrics: htop, mysqltuner, php-fpm status, nginx stub_status. Based on the data — we calculate optimal values for the specific RAM and CPU amount. Changes are applied incrementally with effect measurement after each adjustment.