How do you extend PHP session expiration time?

I need to extend my user's sessions in a PHP / mySQL web app that we run. I've seen the functions on php.net that relate to this, but I am unsure of where or how to implement them.

For instance, I've been able to change the "session.gc_maxlifetime" setting -- but I don't know if this needs to be set once on the server or once each session... once each page?

Anwered 2006-03-29 13:09:21 by trevorhughdavis

You only need to set it once.

Anwered 2006-03-29 15:58:12 by alexjewell@sbcglobal.net

I'm confused because once you set the session...it will stay in session until someone hits, for example, sign out or the window is closed or something.
If you want the session to continue on, even after the window is closed, then you'll have to use cookies.