BranchCache can operate in one of two modes:
•Distributed Cache. Using a peer-to-peer architecture, Windows 7 client computers cache copies of files and send them directly to other Windows 7 client computers as they need it. Improving performance is as easy as enabling BranchCache on your Windows 7 client and Windows Server 2008 R2 computers. Distributed Cache is especially beneficial for branch offices that do not have a local server.
•Hosted Cache. Using a client/server architecture, Windows 7 client computers cache content to a computer on the local network running Windows Server 2008 R2, known as the Hosted Cache. Other clients who need the same content retrieve it directly from the Hosted Cache. The Hosted Cache computer can run the Server Core installation option of Windows Server 2008 R2 and can also host other applications.
The following diagram illustrates these two models:
BranchCache can improve the performance of applications that use one of the following protocols:
•HTTP and HTTPS. The protocols used by Web browsers and many other applications (such as Internet Explorer®, Windows Media®, and more).
•SMB (including signed SMB traffic). The protocol used for shared folders.
BranchCache only retrieves data from a server when the client requests it. Because it is a passive cache, it will not increase WAN utilization. BranchCache only caches read requests, and thus will not interfere with a user saving a file.
BranchCache improves the responsiveness of common network applications that access intranet servers across slow links. Because it does not require any infrastructure, you can improve the performance of remote networks simply by deploying Windows 7 to client computers, deploying Windows Server 2008 R2 to server computers, and enabling BranchCache.
BranchCache works seamlessly alongside network security technologies, including SSL, SMB Signing, and end-to-end IPsec. You can use BranchCache to reduce network bandwidth utilization and improve application performance even if the content is encrypted.
Hope this article was helpful for you guys... :-)
