[Forum] Optimize vBulletin (mod_deflate)

[Astyanax]

I have followed most of the optimization tips from this link: vBulletin Server Optimization Tips : Part 1

Regarding number 4:

4. Compress Output (GZIP)

Compressing (also called gzipping); the output also cuts down the server load. vBulletin does have a built-in compressing technology, but that is not very effective as it compress the html only. Therefore, you should disable that and use an .htaccess file to compress the output.
To disable the vBulletin’s compression, go to Admin CP > Settings > Option. Select the “Cookies and HTTP Header Options” and click on Edit Settings. Set the “GZIP HTML Output” to No and “GZIP Compression Level” to 0.
To enable, create an .htaccess file in your forums root folder (or just edit the existing one). Add the codes below at the bottom of all other existing code. Make sure there is no similar code exists.

<IfModule mod_deflate.c> <FilesMatch "\.(js|css|php|html|js^|css^)$"> SetOutputFilter DEFLATE </FilesMatch> </IfModule>


My host has enabled mod_deflate on the server, and in CPanel there is an option "Optimize Website" which I have set to compress all content.

My question is, do I have to follow step 4 in this guide when I have set mod_deflate to compress all content?

[Wayne Luke]

Yes... You actually want to turn off the GZIP compression in vBulletin if you have mod_deflate enabled. Some browsers won't be able to undo the double compression and will display white pages to the end-user. You probably don't need to add the .htaccess rule though. cPanel should add it for you.