How to modify MySQL's max_connections setting

Question

How do I modify MySQL's max_connections setting?

Answer

The default max_connections setting for MySQL is 151. Here is how to modify it:

1. Access the server's command line as the 'root' user via SSH or Terminal in WHM.

2. Check the current max_connections setting:

   # mysql -e "show variables like 'max_connections';"
   +-----------------+-------+
   | Variable_name | Value |
   +-----------------+-------+
   | max_connections | 151 |
   +-----------------+-------+

3. Open /etc/my.cnf in your preferred text editor.

4. Locate the max_connections entry or add the entry to the end of the file if one doesn't exist.

   CONFIG_TEXT: max_connections=151

5. Set the max_connections value to the desired value.
6. Save the changes and exit the text editor.

7. Restart the MySQL service:

   # /usr/local/cpanel/scripts/restartsrv_mysql

8. Verify that the max_connections setting has been updated:

   # mysql -e "show variables like 'max_connections';"
   +-----------------+-------+
   | Variable_name | Value |
   +-----------------+-------+
   | max_connections | 200 |
   +-----------------+-------+