Wireless

Best of the ISP-Lists

Wireless Cache

Even high-speed fixed wireless Radio Frequency (RF) networks get congested. Members of the ISP-Wireless list recommend a wide variety of caching solutions to conserve bandwidth.

On the ISP-Wireless list in November, LY queried,

"Does adding a cache server help 'stretch' your bandwidth a little further? If so, to what extent? What products are you using?"

While the responses were unanimous in support of caching, the products recommended were all over the map:

[LB enthused] "I have added a cache server, and it really helps."

[BR observed] "The improvement has been very noticeable. Our cache server is taking care of about 30% of the requests. Bandwidth saving is about 25% to 30%. I use the complete unit from SwellTech, at http://www.swelltech.com." [GB noted] "We use Squid here, and it does make a noticeable difference on our bandwidth usage. Where it makes the biggest different is in file download times. If someone downloads, say, the newest Netscape version, Squid caches it and the next person who comes along pulls it from the cache. That can add up to a huge bandwidth savings over time. You can read more about Squid at http://www.squid-cache.org."

[MB agreed] "We use Squid, and it's very, very good. We get a 60% bandwidth saving over the entire network."

[JL offered] "Cache servers work well. We save around 39% using a Cacheflow server-check out http://www.cacheflow.com."

[JP explained] "I am using a Novell-based cache from Dell. It does provide faster Internet access, and it's reliable. It's got a 47% cache hit rate."

[CM added] "We sell solely to business clients, and our caching reduces our traffic load 68-74%, depending on the client. For servers, we use a combination of Gateweaver and Squid products that handle authentication, security, firewall, caching, and monitoring of the network."

—End

 

Related articles:
		ISP-Planet Cache Review Series
		Caching 101