APC:
The Alternative PHP Cache (APC) is a free and open opcode cache for PHP. It was conceived of to provide a free, open, and robust framework for caching and optimizing PHP intermediate code.
eAccelerator:
eAccelerator is a free open-source PHP accelerator, optimizer, and dynamic content cache. It increases the performance of PHP scripts by caching them in their compiled state, so that the overhead of compiling is almost completely eliminated. It also optimizes scripts to speed up their execution. eAccelerator typically reduces server load and increases the speed of your PHP code by 1-10 times.
We learned that Magento had some issues with Magento - or rather APC had some issues with itself. Frequent segfaults and stuff like that, so we threw it out. We simply installed eAccelerator to replace the cache system - that’s easy enough:
http://eaccelerator.net/wiki/InstallFromSource
Thanks for the info. Where does APC live and how can one replace it? Is it server-level, that is, does it have to be done by the hosting company? How does Magento interface with it?
My php memory was set at 16mb and I had the same problems. I upped it to 32mb and it worked for 2 hours, then the same thing. Finally, doubled it to 64mb and it has been working flawlessly.
I did check my server memory load when I was trying to edit the products and it was spiking like crazy. Seemed to average out in the 50s.
Kind of disappointed with Magento...but I love it at the same time. Damn it.
Sorry for all you who don’t have access to your php.ini… My answer is to go with a different host. Better yet, get yourself a VPS.