Cache & SQL Files

[Green333]

Hi
I've searched in forums & FAQs etc - so apologies if I missed the answer....
....but just trying to get an understanding on the SQL files in /cache.

I did a backup of my files via ftp today, and encountered an error when one of these files 'failed to open' - so not having any idea what that file 'does' I'm not sure if that's a problem?

Also - I found this in the FAQ 'securing my site' area:

/cache
This is used to cache session and database information. The BEST security protection for this is to move it to a folder "above" the public_html/htdocs/www area, so that it's not accessible via a browser. (Requires changes to DIR_FS_SQL_CACHE setting in configure.php files as well as Admin > Configuration > Sessions > Session Directory.

I'm not quite sure what 'above the public area' means, or the php file change.

Also - what is the recommendation for clearing cache etc?

Many thanks
(the more I learn, the more I realize that I don't know )

[Shane78]

/cache
This is used to cache session and database information. The BEST security protection for this is to move it to a folder "above" the public_html/htdocs/www area, so that it's not accessible via a browser. (Requires changes to DIR_FS_SQL_CACHE setting in configure.php files as well as Admin > Configuration > Sessions > Session Directory.

I'm not quite sure what 'above the public area' means, or the php file change.

if i am right, it means moving the cache folder to an area not accessable by the public..

for example public_html/htdocs/www is where all the ZC files and folders are stored so the cache folder address is

root/public_html/htdocs/www/cache

you can move this cache folder to
root/cache/public_html/htdocs/www

so long as you change the right settings in the php files it will work.

[DrByte]

... trying to get an understanding on the SQL files in /cache.

I did a backup of my files via ftp today, and encountered an error when one of these files 'failed to open' - so not having any idea what that file 'does' I'm not sure if that's a problem?

...

Also - what is the recommendation for clearing cache etc?

You obviously have your configure.php files set to cache to file.
As such, you'll see several *.sql files in your cache folder. In a perfect world those would be cleaned up automatically, but sadly that doesn't always happen.

You're free to delete any that are older than "today" (current date).

If you can't delete a particular file then it's likely in-use, which probably suggests it's one of "today"s files.
Or maybe your webserver permissions or ownership are preventing you from accessing certain files. Your hosting company could help you sort out that kind of problem.

[Green333]

Thanks mcshane78 & DrByte for the clarification

I'll look at moving the cache folder (I would be interested to hear if this something most people have done?)

And also - DrByte

You obviously have your configure.php files set to cache to file.

Is this not a normal setting?

Many thanks again

[Shane78]

well i have them all set to file... durring installation of a ZC site i believe the default setting is NONE, but you can change that by amending the DIR_FS_SQL_CACHE details in both config files (ADMIN/INCLUDES/configure.php) and (INCLUDES/configure.php)

i dont know if this is also a good idea or a bad idea but i also renamed mine for example

root/cache/public_html/htdocs/www
is now
root/cheese/public_html/htdocs/www

i amended the settings in both config files and in the admin end (Admin > Configuration > Sessions > Session Directory. )
my sites work fine and i have loads of mods installed.. no apparent conflicts but i would like Dr Bytes opinion on this cache renaming?....

p.s nice avatar photo btw!

[Green333]

Wow - thanks for the ultra speedy reply

GREAT info - will take that on-board. Thank you, thank you.
Be interesting to hear DrByte's comments re the re-name change too.

PS/ avatar pic is Molly our Golden Retriever pup (she's under the illusion she's human!)

[DrByte]

I'll look at moving the cache folder (I would be interested to hear if this something most people have done?)

That's not specifically necessary for the purposes of resolving the issues you initially posted about.
You *can* do it if you want the security benefits it offers, as described in the FAQ article you posted from.

And also - DrByte

You obviously have your configure.php files set to cache to file.

Is this not a normal setting?

Setting them to "file" is fine if that's what you want for your server. The side-effect of doing so is the sometimes-leftover-files that don't get automatically cleaned up.
But there's nothing wrong with using "file". It's obviously working for you.

[Shane78]

haha, she looks lovely...

my pal has a black lab, only 6 months old and leaving havana cigars all over his garden...


DrByte, what about renaming the cache folder?
good idea or pointless or problematic?

[DrByte]

DrByte, what about renaming the cache folder?
good idea or pointless or problematic?

knock yourself out