ISPPlanet Cache Review Series - CacheFlow 545

Managing The CacheFlow

The CacheFlow's Java-based GUI presents a "dashboard", entirely visible without scrolling (below, left). On the home page, a Browser section supports client configuration (see Designing Your Cache Network), while password-protected Management and Statistics sections enable administration. Indexed on-line Documentation, FAQs, and Technical Support are also linked to the home page. Administration can be restricted to IP addresses, but not entire subnets. SSL encryption is slated for the next release. Until then, we recommend limiting admin access to trusted internal addresses (below, right).

Home

Security panel

The Management applet configures Network, Client, Time, Caching, Forwarding, Security, SNMP, Logging, Events, and Maintenance parameters. Left-hand "navbar" icons bring up sets of tabbed panels. For example, click on Network (below, left) to configure IP addresses, hostname, DNS servers, domain name imputing, transparent, proxy, and console ports. The IP panel (below,right) illustrates the CacheFlow's backside, showing the location of each adapter and whether it exists.

Network panel

IP panel

We didn't spot multi-homing or TCP tuning knobs. Most admins will configure a list of primary DNS servers; an alternate list is available for split DNS. Imputing enables domain name qualification at the cache: for example, expand "www" into http://www.corecom.com, then http://www.isp-planet.com.

Client parameters determine what the Browser section will recommend: self-configuration, default, or custom PAC file. Time panels allows UTC time and NTP servers to be specified (CacheFlow time servers by default.) When NTP is enabled, the current time is verified hourly and clock drift is logged.

 

Introduction/The Platform	Predictive Caching
Four-Step Setup	Controlling Cache Services
Designing Your Cache Network <	Viewing Cache Performance
Managing the CacheFlow	Advanced Monitoring
> Balancing Simplicity vs. Volume	Product Support/Final Thoughts