---
title: General configuration options
description: General APM Server configuration options. Defines the host and port the server is listening on. Use "unix:/path/to.sock" to listen on a Unix domain socket...
url: https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/solutions/observability/apm/apm-server/general-configuration-options
products:
  - APM
  - Elastic Observability
applies_to:
  - Elastic Stack: Generally available
---

# General configuration options
<note>
  ![supported deployment methods](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/solutions/images/observability-binary-yes-fm-yes.svg)Most options on this page are supported by all APM Server deployment methods.
</note>

General APM Server configuration options.
<tab-set>
  <tab-item title="APM Server binary">
    **Example config file:**
    ```yaml
    apm-server:
      host: "localhost:8200"
      rum:
        enabled: true

    max_procs: 4
    ```
  </tab-item>

  <tab-item title="Fleet-managed">
    Configure and customize Fleet-managed APM settings directly in Kibana:
    1. In Kibana, find **Fleet** in the main menu or use the [global search field](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3028/explore-analyze/find-and-organize/find-apps-and-objects).
    2. Under the **Agent policies** tab, select the policy you would like to configure.
    3. Find the Elastic APM integration and select **Actions** > **Edit integration**.
    4. Look for these settings under **General**.
  </tab-item>
</tab-set>


## Configuration options


### Host

Defines the host and port the server is listening on. Use `"unix:/path/to.sock"` to listen on a Unix domain socket. Defaults to *localhost:8200*. (text)

|                   |                   |
|-------------------|-------------------|
| APM Server binary | `apm-server.host` |
| Fleet-managed     | `Host`            |


### URL

The publicly reachable server URL. For deployments on Elastic Cloud or ECK, the default is unchangeable.

|                   |       |
|-------------------|-------|
| APM Server binary | N/A   |
| Fleet-managed     | `URL` |


### Max header size

Maximum permitted size of a request’s header accepted by the server to be processed (in Bytes). Defaults to 1048576 Bytes (1 MB). (int)

|                   |                                      |
|-------------------|--------------------------------------|
| APM Server binary | `apm-server.max_header_size`         |
| Fleet-managed     | `Maximum size of a request's header` |


### Idle timeout

Maximum amount of time to wait for the next incoming request before underlying connection is closed. Defaults to `45s` (45 seconds). (text)

|                   |                                                    |
|-------------------|----------------------------------------------------|
| APM Server binary | `apm-server.idle_timeout`                          |
| Fleet-managed     | `Idle time before underlying connection is closed` |


### Read timeout

Maximum permitted duration for reading an entire request. Defaults to `3600s` (3600 seconds). (text)

|                   |                                                  |
|-------------------|--------------------------------------------------|
| APM Server binary | `apm-server.read_timeout`                        |
| Fleet-managed     | `Maximum duration for reading an entire request` |


### Write timeout

Maximum permitted duration for writing a response. Defaults to `30s` (30 seconds). (text)

|                   |                                           |
|-------------------|-------------------------------------------|
| APM Server binary | `apm-server.write_timeout`                |
| Fleet-managed     | `Maximum duration for writing a response` |


#### Shutdown timeout

Maximum duration in seconds before releasing resources when shutting down the server. Defaults to `30s` (30 seconds). (text)

|                   |                                                                  |
|-------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|
| APM Server binary | `apm-server.shutdown_timeout`                                    |
| Fleet-managed     | `Maximum duration before releasing resources when shutting down` |


### Max event size

Maximum permitted size of an event accepted by the server to be processed (in Bytes). Defaults to `307200` Bytes. (int)

|                   |                             |
|-------------------|-----------------------------|
| APM Server binary | `apm-server.max_event_size` |
| Fleet-managed     | `Maximum size per event`    |


### Max connections

Maximum number of TCP connections to accept simultaneously. Default value is 0, which means *unlimited*. (int)

|                   |                                       |
|-------------------|---------------------------------------|
| APM Server binary | `apm-server.max_connections`          |
| Fleet-managed     | `Simultaneously accepted connections` |


### Custom HTTP response headers

Custom HTTP headers to add to HTTP responses. Useful for security policy compliance. (text)

|                   |                                |
|-------------------|--------------------------------|
| APM Server binary | `apm-server.response_headers`  |
| Fleet-managed     | `Custom HTTP response headers` |


### Capture personal data

If true, APM Server captures the IP of the instrumented service and its User Agent if any. Enabled by default. (bool)

|                   |                                    |
|-------------------|------------------------------------|
| APM Server binary | `apm-server.capture_personal_data` |
| Fleet-managed     | `Capture personal data`            |


### Default service environment

Sets the default service environment to associate with data and requests received from agents which have no service environment defined. Default: none. (text)

|                   |                                          |
|-------------------|------------------------------------------|
| APM Server binary | `apm-server.default_service_environment` |
| Fleet-managed     | `Default Service Environment`            |


### expvar support

When set to true APM Server exposes [golang expvar](https://golang.org/pkg/expvar/) under `/debug/vars`. Disabled by default.

|                   |                                           |
|-------------------|-------------------------------------------|
| APM Server binary | `apm-server.expvar.enabled`               |
| Fleet-managed     | `Enable APM Server Golang expvar support` |


### expvar URL

Configure the URL to expose expvar. Defaults to `debug/vars`.

|                   |                         |
|-------------------|-------------------------|
| APM Server binary | `apm-server.expvar.url` |
| Fleet-managed     | N/A                     |


### Data stream namespace

Change the default namespace. This setting changes the name of the data stream.
For Fleet-managed users, the namespace is inherited from the selected Elastic Agent policy.

|                   |                                                       |
|-------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|
| APM Server binary | `apm-server.data_streams.namespace`                   |
| Fleet-managed     | `Namespace` (Integration settings > Advanced options) |