The Cache Manager in OzSpeed’s hPanel is a powerful tool designed to help improve your website’s performance by caching static content. Caching temporarily stores your website’s data, reducing the time it takes to load pages for visitors. By utilizing the Cache Manager, you can significantly enhance your website’s speed, decrease server load, and provide a better user experience. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use the Cache Manager effectively.
Step 1: Log in to hPanel #
- Go to ozspeed.com.au and log in to your hPanel Dashboard with your credentials.
- Navigate to the Advanced section and click on “Cache Manager”.
Step 2: Overview of the Cache Manager #
The Cache Manager provides an interface for managing various types of caching options:
- Static Cache: Caches static content like images, CSS, and JavaScript files.
- Dynamic Cache: Stores dynamic content generated by PHP scripts to speed up server response times.
- OPcache: Optimizes PHP performance by caching precompiled script code.
Tip: #
- Using both Static Cache and Dynamic Cache together can provide the best results for most websites.
Step 3: Enable Caching for Your Website #
Option 1: Enable Static Cache #
- Click on “Static Cache” in the Cache Manager.
- Toggle the switch to “Enable”.
- Click “Save Changes”.
Benefits of Static Cache:
- Reduces the load on your server by caching files that do not change frequently (e.g., images, CSS files).
- Speeds up page load times for returning visitors.
Tip: #
- Clear the static cache whenever you make changes to your website’s design or update static files.
Option 2: Enable Dynamic Cache #
- Click on “Dynamic Cache” in the Cache Manager.
- Toggle the switch to “Enable”.
- Click “Save Changes”.
Benefits of Dynamic Cache:
- Improves the performance of PHP-based websites like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal.
- Reduces server response times by storing dynamically generated content.
Tip: #
- Use Dynamic Cache for CMS-based websites with frequently accessed content.
Step 4: Configure OPcache (For PHP Performance Optimization) #
- Click on “OPcache” in the Cache Manager.
- Toggle the switch to “Enable”.
- Click “Save Changes”.
Benefits of OPcache:
- Caches precompiled PHP scripts, reducing the time needed to process PHP code.
- Ideal for websites with complex PHP scripts or applications like Laravel.
Tip: #
- OPcache works best with the latest PHP versions (7.4 or higher). Update your PHP version in PHP Configuration if needed.
Step 5: Clear the Cache #
If you make changes to your website, such as updating content, themes, or plugins, you may need to clear the cache to reflect the latest updates.
- Go to the Cache Manager and click on “Clear Cache”.
- Choose the type of cache you want to clear:
- Clear Static Cache: Removes cached versions of static files.
- Clear Dynamic Cache: Deletes cached dynamic content.
- Clear All Cache: Clears both static and dynamic cache.
- Click “Confirm” to clear the selected cache.
Tip: #
- Clearing the cache may temporarily slow down your site as the cache is rebuilt with new content.
Step 6: Set Cache Expiration Time (Optional) #
- In the Cache Manager, go to Settings.
- Choose the Cache Expiration Time based on your site’s content update frequency:
- 1 hour: For frequently updated content like news sites or blogs.
- 12 hours: For sites with regular updates.
- 24 hours: For mostly static sites that do not change often.
- Click “Save Changes”.
Tip: #
- Shorter expiration times ensure fresh content is served but may increase server load. Longer expiration times reduce load but may serve outdated content.
Step 7: Monitor Cache Performance #
- Go to the Analytics section in hPanel.
- Click on “Performance” to see the impact of caching on your site’s speed and server response times.
- Check metrics like Time to First Byte (TTFB) and Page Load Time to evaluate the benefits of caching.
Common Issues: #
- Cache Not Working: Ensure that caching is enabled and that there are no conflicting caching plugins installed on your CMS (e.g., WordPress caching plugins like WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache).
- Stale Content: If you notice outdated content, clear the cache manually to refresh it.
Step 8: Use a Caching Plugin for Additional Control (Optional) #
If you are using WordPress, consider installing a caching plugin for more granular control:
- WP Rocket: Offers advanced caching features, including lazy loading and database optimization.
- W3 Total Cache: Provides extensive caching options and works well with the hPanel Cache Manager.
- LiteSpeed Cache: Compatible with hPanel’s caching features and offers server-level caching.
Tip: #
- Disable built-in caching features in your CMS plugins if you are using hPanel’s Cache Manager to avoid conflicts.
Additional Tips: #
- Combine Cache with a CDN: Integrate a Content Delivery Network (CDN) like Cloudflare to further improve speed and reduce server load.
- Monitor Regularly: Check your site’s speed using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to ensure caching is working effectively.
- Optimize Database: Regularly optimize your database using tools like phpMyAdmin or WP-Optimize for additional performance gains.
