Global variables in extensions

Hi! I have a problem that is driving me crazy. I need to allocate some memory that will be available throughout a session. Firstly a database connection is established, but at the same time I read all relevant information about the db (records, attributes, typedeclarations and such and such). This is a rather lengthy process so I am trying to store these information in memory for later retrieval. This is the part, that doesn't work. Whenever a new page is loaded the information is lost. I have tried using static (global) variables, and I have tried the ZEND_BEGIN/END_MODULE_GLOBALS. About the ZEND_BEGIN/END... approach: the std. skeleton defines these macros: #ifdef ZTS #define RAIMAG(v) (raima_globals->v) #define RAIMALS_FETCH() php_raima_globals *raima_globals=ts_resource(raima_globals_id) #else #define RAIMAG(v) (raima_globals.v) #define RAIMALS_FETCH() #endif How do I utilize ZTS? Where is raima_globals_id defined? I do set a variable in PHP_MINIT_FUNCTION that variable is always set! But any other variables from the ZEND_BEGIN/END_MODULE_GLOBALS section (phew) that is set later do not remember their value??? Why is that? Thanks Thomas