Chapter1 Introducing the Content Engine
Hardware Features
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Cisco Content Engine 511 and 566 Hardware Installation Guide
OL-5756-01
Otherwise, the Content Engine simultaneously obtains the requested objects from
the web server, stores a copy of the objects (caches them), and forwards the
objects on to the user.
You can also configure your Content Engine as a proxy server that acts as a
network gateway device, which is optimized to retrieve content on behalf of web
clients. Direct proxy routing is known as nontransparent caching because the web
clients and media players in the network are configured to explicitly point to the
Content Engine that is acting as the proxy server.
Note Unlike transparent caching, nontransparent caching is possible even if your
network does not support Cisco IOS software and the WCCP.
In nontransparent caching cases, the Content Engine sends the content to the web
client from its local storage if the requested content is already available at that
location (cache hit). If the requested content is not already stored in the Content
Engine’s local cache (cache miss), the Content Engine retrieves the requested
content from the origin server, stores a local copy of the content if the content is
cacheable, and sends the requested content to the web client. When the Content
Engine receives subsequent requests for the same content, it sends the content
from its local storage.
By caching web objects, the Content Engine can speed the completion of user
requests when more than one user wants to access the same objects. Caching in
this manner also reduces the amount of traffic between your network and the
Internet, potentially improving your overall network performance and optimizing
your bandwidth usage.
Hardware Features
This section illustrates and describes the front and back panel controls, ports, and
LED indicators on the CE-511 and CE-566.