Six years after releasing version 2.2 of the free Apache web server, the Apache HTTP Server Project developers have now issued beta version 2.3.11 as a first step towards version 2.4. The beta's new features affect, for instance, the MPM (Multi-Processing Module) architecture that allows multiple requests to be processed almost simultaneously.

For the first time, users don't need to choose an MPM when compiling the server. Like other software components, MPMs are now generated as dynamic modules that can be selected when starting the server. Previously marked as "experimental", the event MPM has now joined the list of fully functional MPMs.

The LogLevel directive can now be set to different levels for directories and modules. Another new module integrates the Lua scripting language to allow developers to write request handlers in this language. mod_ssl allows certificates to be checked online via OCSP. Module authors planning to port their software to Apache HTTP Server 2.4 should take a look at the list of API changes.

As with all development releases, use in production environments and on mission critical systems is not advised. Users testing the release are encouraged to provide feedback and report any bugs that they encounter.

Further information about this development release can be found in the official release announcement and in the change log. Interested developers can download the Apache HTTP Server 2.3.11 Beta from the project's site. The Apache HTTP Server is made available under the Apache license version 2.

(crve)