Branchcache on Anything About IT

ConfigMgr–Compliance Baseline for BranchCache on Windows 8

Tue, 08 Oct 2013 14:14:03 +0000

Here’s a ConfigMgr Compliance baseline that checks the BranchCache configuration on Windows 8 clients. With the release of Windows 8 and Server 2012 Microsoft also made available PowerShell cmdlets for BranchCache, so creating a script based configuration item in ConfigMgr becomes a pretty straight forward task.

The below Compliance Baseline checks the following 3 things.

Is BranchCache Enabled
Is the Service Running
Is BranchCache operating in Distributed Cache mode

The following PowerShell commands are included within the configuration items.

ReadTip: BranchCache Learning Roadmap

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 19:30:34 +0000

Microsoft has published a BranchCache Learning Roadmap document. Download the document from here

This learning roadmap provides you with links to prerequisite information you need to understand and deploy BranchCache, and also provides links to BranchCache information from level 100 to level 300. In addition there are links to optional information that will enhance your ability to expand and manage your BranchCache deployment.

ToolTip: SMB BranchCache deployment Diagnosis script

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 17:59:16 +0000

Just found this SMB BranchCache deployment diagnosis script on MSDN Code Gallery.

The Test-SMBBranchCache script is used to find common SMB BranchCache misconfiguration issues. It allows a user to verify the SMB BranchCache server or client configuration. When run on a server, it can test the state of a BranchCache-enabled network share. When run on a client, it can do an end-to-end validation of the SMB BranchCache functionality.

Download documentation and diagnosis script from [here](Diagnosing a BranchCache deployment for the SMB protocol)

ReadTip: Enhanced Branch Office Productivity and WAN Bandwidth Savings with Microsoft BranchCache

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 20:09:32 +0000

For those who are in the decision making process of using BranchCache, I strongly recommend to read the Enhanced Branch Office Productivity and WAN Bandwidth Savings with Microsoft BranchCache Report from Edison.

Microsoft commissioned the Edison Group to create and run a series of tests designed to provide quantified data to illustrate the effects of the file transfer acceleration provided by using Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 with BranchCache enabled. The result of the testing shows that file downloads were, on average, 69 percent faster with Windows 7 with BranchCache than for Windows XP and 66 percent faster than for Windows Vista. Bandwidth utilization averaged 58 percent less for Windows 7 with BranchCache versus Windows XP and 53 percent less than Windows Vista. This document explains the tests and presents the test results.

ReadTip: Is BranchCache right for remote, serverless software distribution?

Sat, 07 Aug 2010 08:46:58 +0000

BranchCache is a new feature available in Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 that reduces WAN bandwidth usage and improves application responsiveness when workstations in a remote location access content from the head office or data center by downloading and caching content on the local network as it is requested, making it immediately available to other clients that subsequently request the same content.

This paper examines the BrachCache functionality specifically in the context of software distribution using System Center Configuration Manager 2007 to determine if it is an optimal solution for the deployment of software, patches and operating systems to remote, serverless branches.

Saving on WAN Costs with BranchCache

Sat, 29 May 2010 19:48:52 +0000

In this video Oliver Rist, Technical Product Manager at the Windows Server group, talks about BranchCache, the Features, the usage modes and the benefits.

Watch the video here or download the Transcript from here

BranchCache Step by Step Guides

Wed, 26 May 2010 15:57:32 +0000

These two BranchCache Step by Step guides provide practical guidance for setting up BranchCache in Distributed or Hosted Cache Mode within a test network.

Download the BranchCache Hosted Cache Mode Step by Step Guide here
Download BranchCache Distributed Cache Mode Step by Step Guide here

Choosing the right Server Edition for your BranchCache deployment

Mon, 03 May 2010 21:01:53 +0000

Windows Server 2008 R2 is available in multiple editions. If you’re planning to deploy BranchCache it’s important to consider installing the right server edition as there is a difference in the provided functionality between the different server editions.

**Windows Server 2008 R2 BranchCache Features
** Source: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/r2-differentiated-features.aspx

BranchCache Content Server
Source repository, located at the main office, for the content that is accessed by client computers in branch offices. Content may reside on either a file server with the BranchCache for Network Files role service of the File Services server role installed, or on a Web server or BITS-based application server with the BranchCache feature installed. Content servers transmit content to branch offices using the BranchCache-compatible protocols.

Collect BranchCache Bandwidth data using PowerShell

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:49:12 +0000

If you have BranchCache deployed within your enterprise environment you might be interested in the
BranchCache Bandwidth Saving Calculation PowerShell Script for the SMB Protocol which allows you to collect and measure the amount of WAN bandwidth that is saved by your BranchCache deployment.

Get the documentation and script from here

End-to-End WAN Optimization with BranchCache (External)

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 23:54:09 +0000

If you have an interest in Windows 7 BrachCache Technology I recommend reading the TechNet Magazine article “End-to-End WAN Optimization with BranchCache”.

ReadTip: BranchCache Design Guide

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 18:18:59 +0000

Source: Microsoft

This design guide provides information about BranchCache in both distributed cache mode and hosted cache mode that assists you in determining the best way to deploy BranchCache on your network.

The Guide can be downloaded from here

Windows7 BranchCache test results

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:19:59 +0000

Back in April I was playing with BranchCache in my home lab environment to get an idea about how things are supposed to work but simulating a real world WAN network isn’t that easy, unless you have access to some expensive software or you can simulate a network on a Linux box, but unfortunately my knowledge with Linux is near zero. So to see how BranchCache really works out in a real environment, I asked a colleague to setup a Windows 2008-R2 system with BranchCache enabled within a remote location that could be accessed through our corporate WAN. Once that system was setup BranchCache configuration was applied and Group Policies were prepared, as described within the BranchCache Early Adopter’s Guide.

Playing with BranchCache

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:23:13 +0000

During the past 2 days I have been looking at the Windows 7 BranchCache feature. After hearing, reading and talking about this for months, it was about time to do some hands-on stuff.

I used the BranchCache Early Adopter’s Guide from Microsoft. If you would have a perfect test environment, the implementation would probably be done in 2-3 hours. For me it took a little bit longer……. but once again, I’ve learned a lot more.