1

INTRODUCING THE WEBCACHE

 

This chapter contains introductory information about the Webcache 1000/3000 and how it can be used in your network. It covers summaries of hardware and software features and also the following topics:

■ What is the Webcache?

 

■ The Webcache and 3Com Network Supervisor

 

■ Webcache — Front View Detail

 

■ Webcache — Rear View Detail

 

■

Default Settings

 

 

What is the

The SuperStack® 3 Webcache 1000 and 3000 are high-performance,

Webcache?

easily configurable webcache appliances. They offer the following

 

benefits to your network:

 

■

Reduced Network Traffic

 

 

The Webcache locally stores frequently accessed Web content and

 

 

quickly serves it to the end user on demand. This reduces the amount

 

 

of traffic on the WAN, providing significant cost benefits by reducing

 

 

the bandwidth requirement on expensive WAN links.

 

■

Reduced Web Latency

 

 

The end user receives Web content more quickly and with greater

quality of service if it is served from a local, high-speed Webcache than if it is served from the Internet. Web object requests that have to travel over long distances are limited to the speed and capacity of the slowest link in the path. A Webcache that is closer to the client machines reduces the potential for slow links and dropped data packets.