For Web hosting packages ordered starting 03/22/2017
If you ordered your web hosting package before 03/22/2017, please read the article Overview of PHP Script Limits of Older Web Hosting Packages.
The Performance Level is a feature that allows you to quickly and easily customize the resources available for PHP-based websites (WordPress, Drupal, Joomla!). This allows you to react at any time to increasing visitor numbers or other requirements without having to change to a different package.
The Performance Can Be Adjusted in 5 Levels
There are 5 performance levels available. The higher the performance level, the more resources are available to execute PHP code to avoid performance bottlenecks.
In this context, important resources are:
RAM: The total amount of memory that can be used by simultaneously running PHP processes.
Processes per minute: Provides information on how many PHP processes can be processed per minute on average without waiting times or processes having to be aborted due to a runtime overrun.
Memory limit: The maximum amount of memory that can be used by individual PHP processes.
For example, Level 1 provides up to 2.5 GB of RAM for PHP scripts, while Level 5 provides up to 19 GB of RAM.
The following table provides information about the resources available at each performance level:
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recommended website type | Standard website with several subpages | Well-attended blog with regularly updated content | Complex website with daily updated content | Multiple performance-intensive websites or a popular Internet forum. | Online shop with a large product portfolio and a high number of visitors. |
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAM / Process total | 512 MB | 640 MB | 640 MB | 768 MB | 768 MB |
| RAM / Process minus PHP interpreter (e.g. PHP version 7.3) | approx. 332 MB | approx. 460 MB | approx. 460 MB | approx. 588 MB | approx. 588 MB |
| Memory Limit | 512M | 640M | 640M | 768M | 768M |
The following table shows to what extent the level can be set depending on the package. The "Webhosting Pro" package, for example, already includes Level 2 as an included service, which is why it cannot be reduced there:
| Web hosting Business | Web hosting Pro | Web hosting Expert | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Performance Level | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 |
| Maximum Performance Level (Optional) | Level 5 | Level 5 | Level 5 |
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
1. What are PHP scripts and how do they relate to the above-mentioned performance values?
PHP is the most commonly used programming language for creating websites. For example, the popular Content Management Systems (CMS) WordPress, Joomla and Drupal are completely written in PHP. The higher the performance level, the more power reserves are available to avoid unwanted delays in loading and page layout depending on the number of visitors.
2 My package doesn't have performance levels. What can I do?
If your current package does not contain a performance level option, you can easily switch to a current Next Level Hosting package at any time. Here's how.
3. How can I change the performance level?
You can change the performance level at any time in your Control Panel. Click on Performance Level in the left side menu and order the desired level. Show instructions.
4. What performance level is recommended for my website?
Unfortunately, this question cannot be answered in general because the resulting speed of a website depends on several factors. For example, it is not only important how complex the pages of your website are and how often visitors visit your pages; with increasing visitor numbers it becomes more and more important how well the program code of your website is optimized for performance and where and how often content is stored and loaded. We do provide hints for the proper performance level you should use in the table above.
As soon as you have put your website live, the performance statistics of your website will tell you to what extent your current performance level is being used. Depending on the degree of utilization, you will also find recommendations for changing the performance level there. If your performance level is repeatedly heavily utilized, we will automatically inform you by email.
5 I have increased my performance level, but my website is not faster - why?
If improving your performance level does not have the desired effect, please note the following:
The evaluation in your Control Panel shows the utilization of the last 7 days. Effects can therefore only be observed on the following day.
In addition to the performance level, the following factors can affect the performance of your website:
Database Performance: If a lot of data is read from a MySQL database or information is stored on frequently visited pages, the database server may no longer be able to provide that data quickly enough. For more information, see the article Improving Performance of Your MySQL Databases.
Web Space I/O Performance: Loading more extensive static content (e.g., images) from webspace or continuously writing data to webspace (e.g., log files) can affect the loading and responsiveness of your website.
6. How and when is the ordered performance level calculated? What happens if I change again?
For technical reasons, the performance level is calculated separately from your contract. You will receive a separate invoice for the monthly amount shown in the invoice. Of course, a calculation will only be made if you raise it above the level contained in your package. The amount is always debited in advance.
If you order another level again, the calculation process starts all over again. Amounts already paid will be charged proportionately to your next contract invoice.