- How do I configure this package to work with Laravel’s Cache facade?
- Add the package via Composer, then define a `memcached` driver in `config/cache.php` with your Memcached server details. Use it via `Cache::store('memcached')->put('key', 'value')` or set it as the default in `config/app.php`. No extra Laravel packages are needed.
- Does this support Laravel’s tag-based cache invalidation?
- Yes, this adapter implements PSR-6’s `CacheItemPoolInterface`, so you can use tags for invalidation (e.g., `$item->setTags(['user', 'profile'])`). This is useful for bulk invalidation, like clearing all caches for a user after an update.
- What Laravel versions does this package support?
- The package adheres to PSR-6, which Laravel 5.5+ fully supports. Tested with Laravel 6–9, but verify compatibility with your version since the last release was in 2022. No Laravel-specific dependencies exist beyond PSR-6.
- Can I use this for Laravel session storage instead of file/database?
- Yes, this adapter works with Laravel’s session drivers if you configure Memcached as the session store. It’s faster than file-based sessions but lacks persistence (data is lost on Memcached server restarts). Use `memcached` in `config/session.php`.
- How do I handle Memcached server failures in production?
- Configure multiple servers with weights in `config/cache.php` for failover. For critical data, pair this with a fallback driver (e.g., `file` or `database`) in Laravel’s cache configuration. Monitor server health using tools like `memcached-tool` or custom scripts.
- Is this package actively maintained? Should I use it in production?
- The last release was in 2022, with no recent commits or security updates. While PSR-6 compliance reduces risk, evaluate your tolerance for potential compatibility issues with newer PHP/Laravel versions. Consider forks or alternatives if maintenance is critical.
- How does performance compare to Laravel’s Redis driver?
- Memcached is generally faster for simple key-value operations due to lower overhead, but lacks Redis features like persistence, Lua scripting, or advanced data structures. Benchmark both for your workload—Memcached excels in high-throughput, low-latency scenarios like API caching.
- Can I use this for Laravel Echo/Pusher presence channels?
- Yes, this adapter works with Laravel Echo if you configure Memcached as the broadcast driver. Replace `redis` with `memcached` in `config/broadcasting.php` and ensure your Memcached servers are accessible from your Laravel app’s environment.
- What are the system requirements for using this package?
- You need the `ext-memcached` PHP extension installed and enabled. Verify support across your deployment environments (e.g., shared hosting may block extensions). Docker users should include `php:memcached` in their `Dockerfile` or `docker-compose.yml`.
- Are there alternatives if I need persistence or compression?
- For persistence, use Laravel’s `redis` driver (with Redis) or `database` driver. For compression, Redis supports it natively, while Memcached requires manual handling (e.g., `gzip` before storing). If you need both, consider `predis/predis` (Redis) or `spatie/laravel-cache-prefixes` for key management.