Web site caching serves many purposes. One of the chief reasons for using web caching programs is to speed access to frequently used web pages. Streaming media and interactive web applications utilize caching to provide a seamless end-user experience. Most internet caching programs work in tandem with web browsers and other internet-enabled applications.

You can integrate an Internet caching program into your website as part of the site management plan. Web servers use web site caching programs to both increase the efficiency of server side functions, and provide an uninterrupted end-user experience. Corporate intranets that provide training and interactive media, such as Flash and Quicktime, should use a web caching program to limit employee downtime due to slow access speeds.

1. Add web site caching to websites to improve the users' experience. Visitors will only return to media-rich web sites if their experience goes smoothly.

2. Install Internet caching programs for large websites. An efficient web caching program decreases the demand on web servers.

3. Put web site caching in place before adding interactive media to limit downtime.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use Internet caching to increase server efficiency

Internet caching reduces the load on web servers by storing frequently used elements in the user's cache memory. This takes the load off web servers and allows them to handle web traffic more efficiently.

I recommend: IBM is the web server industry leader. Its service oriented architecture allows enterprises to link business functions as repeatable tasks, using Internet caching services as an integral function. Sun Microsystems offers the Java System Web Proxy Server to control network services and make Internet traffic more efficient and secure.

Incorporate Internet caching programs into existing server software

Web server software should be upgraded to include Internet caching tools. Servers are expensive, and caching software decreases the load on the server hardware. It's easy to upgrade the software automatically, which extends the lifetime of the server and limits capital expenditures.

I recommend: Apache is an industry standard server software, and Apache Axis incorporates caching into its program. 3 Com Entreprise Management Suite is designed to handle the largest networks and provides many advanced functions, including caching frequently accessed files.

Increase network security and organize files captured from web site caching

Network administrators often must make security a priority over individual user's privacy. By enforcing rules-based Internet use, Internet caching programs create a safe network environment for users while preventing accidental network infection.

I recommend: To reduce overall bandwidth demand and set boundaries for web users, Cache Xpress creates a cache server solution that includes DNS caching and advanced usage tracking. Increase server reliability with Internet caching programs that work with your existing operating system, such as those offered by Microsoft's ISA Server.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Set up Internet caching programs at the edge of the network in an integrated, enterprise-wide solution. Placing several cache servers close to the edge of the network decreases the bandwidth requirements across the entire system architecture, and speeds up network traffic for more critical functions.