Starting an Apache httpd as a non-root user

Products

• Support Only for Apache HTTP

Issue/Introduction

This article provides information on starting or stopping the Apache httpd servers as a non-root user.

Environment

Resolution

Although it is not recommended, an Apache httpd installation can be installed and run as a non-root user.

It is possible to start and stop the parent Apache httpd server (as a non-root user whether or not the installation is owned by root) when these conditions are met:

1. All ports used by Apache httpd should be higher than 1024.
   
   Note: This means that you cannot listen on the default port 80.
    
2. All directories that the servers write temporary files to should have write permission for the non-root user, especially if the installation is owned by root.
    
3. By default, all startup scripts have execute permissions for the non-root user, unless changed otherwise.

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