Best of the ISP-Lists

Caching

Looking to Cache In?

Members of the ISP-Caching list discuss everyone's first question: What's the best caching engine on the market. (Anyone making this decision should also check out ISP-Planet's Cache Review Series.)

[February 22, 2001]

On the ISP-Caching list in February, JV inquired,

"What's the best caching engine on the market?"

MP recommended his dream setup:

"How about an array of Squid boxes, clustered by L4 switches? That's what I am going to go for soon."

Others responded with different setups:

[JC observed] "These days, we recommend and install LVS systems to balance Squid clusters. Cheaper than an L4, and fabulous stuff."

[WS agreed] "I have some ISP clients that I have set up an LVS system with four Squid systems that work extremely well."

[AV noted] "We're using L4 switches and LVS. Works for us."

Still others noted that there a lot of factors to consider:

[EZ suggested] "The fastest may not always be the best bang for the buck. The free open source stuff might not have all the features you want. Some may be more stable under load than others. Some have better support staff behind them to help you when you have questions or problems.

If you don't know what you're looking for and have some time on your hands, start at http://www.squid-cache.org and build your own. You'll learn a lot about caching there, and make it harder for the commercial vendors to snow you over if and when you evaluate commercial caching products."

[LA advised] "You might as well ask what soft drink is the best. Why don't you just evaluate some and pick one you like? Squid is a great. It's free and it has community support. I understand what these value added vendors are doing, but ultimately it's a repackaging of a free product, so you can see why it's relatively inexpensive.

I think that the best thing to do is try out some things yourself. Try out Squid and evaluate some vendors like NetApp, CacheFlow, and ICS too. Don't knock it 'til you try it. What may work out best for you may not work out for others."

[JC concluded] "It's a very subjective question. There are several good options, and we all have our preferences. The ones I consider most viable are Squid (either installed yourself or from an appliance vendor), ICS, and some of the newer proprietary entrants into the field. NetApp and Cacheflow are both very good vendors but very overpriced. Get an idea of what's available, and then make your own decision."

—End