A dozen or so idle processes is perfectly normal for prefork (which you are clearly running, BTW). Only worry about this if there are a consistently high number of idle processes (say 30 or more for a lightly loaded server) in which case you can tune the value of MaxSpareServers to suit.
Have a read about the prefork MPM in the documentation: http://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.2/mod/prefork.html If the number of idle processes is consistently higher than MaxSpareServers you have a bug. HTH, Pete -- Openstrike - improving business through open source http://www.openstrike.co.uk/ or call 01722 770036 / 07092 020107
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