Suren's Blog: How To Use BranchCache in Windows 7

BranchCache is a network performance tool available in Windows 7 and Server 2008. It acts like a proxy in that it works only when requested by a client user. The typical user scenario where BranchCache will be useful is where a branch office has a slow link back to the central office. Any downloads that might occur will be slow because of the bandwidth connection. BranchCache is designed for such remote office operations.
There are two modes in which BranchCache works, hosted or distributed. In hosted mode, a 2008 server located on the branch office hosts the cached files. In Distributed Cache mode, a branch server is not necessary; file copies are directly cached onto the PC’s at the branch location.
When BranchCache is enabled, if there is a request for data across the network, a copy of the data or file is downloaded from the intranet website or a file server and it is cached locally within the branch office. As the need arises if another user in the branch requests the file, the user gets access to the content almost immediately as it is downloaded from the local cache rather than over a limited bandwidth connection back to headquarters.
How it works
BranchCache only pulls down data from headquarters as the need arizes; ie., only when the user requests it. Because it operates as a passive cache, it uses less bandwidth between headquarters and the branch. BranchCache only caches read requests, so it will never interfere with a user saving a file. Both HTTP and HTTPS are supported by BranchCache.and file servers with server messaging block [SMB]).It also works with a variety of network security technologies like Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), SMB signing, and Internet Protocol security (IPsec).
Configuring BranchCache
BranchCache requires that you use Windows 7 PCs and Windows Server 2008 R2 servers.
You can use either Group Policy settings or the netsh command-line tool to perform the following configuration tasks on BranchCache clients:

Enable BranchCache

Select one of two modes: Distributed Cache or Hosted Cache.

If using Distributed Cache mode specify the size of the client computers’ cache. BranchCache can use up to 5% of the hard disk drive for the cache.

If using Hosted Cache mode specify the location where the Hosted Cache will reside.

Server 2008 R2 Configuration
BranchCache has to be installed on Windows Server 2008 R2. You must install the BranchCache feature using server manager. in order to configure a Web server or an application server that uses the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) protocol.
You must install the BranchCache for Network Files feature, and configure the server using Group Policy in order to configure a file server to operate with BranchCache. For a Windows Server 2008 R2 computer to act as a BranchCache client, you must first install the BranchCache feature and then follow the client configuration steps in this document.

To install the BranchCache feature
Click Start ->Administrative Tools -> Server Manager->Right Click Features -> Add Features.
Run the Add Features Wizard, select BranchCache, and then click Next.

Server Branch Cache Configuration

In the Confirm Installation Selections dialog box, click Install.
In the Installation Results dialog box, confirm that BranchCache installed successfully, and then click Close.
Configuring a file server to use BranchCache
The BranchCache for Network Files role service of the File Services server role needs to be installed before you can enable BranchCache for any file shares. After you install the BranchCache for Network Files role service, use the Group Policy Management Console to enable BranchCache on the server. You can enable BranchCache for all shares on a file server or only on selected shares.
BranchCache for Network Files is a role service of the File Services role. Use the Add Roles Wizard of Server Manager to install the File Services role and the BranchCache for Network Files role service.

Server Branch Cache Configuration 2

Using Group Policy to configure BranchCache
To use Group Policy to configure BranchCache
Open the Group Policy Management Console. Click Start ->Administrative Tools -> Group Policy Management Console.
Select the domain in which you will apply the Group Policy object, or select Local Computer Policy.
Select New from the Action menu to create a new Group Policy object (GPO).
Choose a name for the new GPO and click OK.
Right-click the GPO just created and choose Edit.
Click Computer Configuration, point to Policies, Administrative Templates, Network, and then click Lanman Server.
Double-click Hash Publication for BranchCache.
Click Enabled.
Under Options, choose one of the following Hash publication actions:

Allow hash publication for all file shares.

Allow hash publication for file shares tagged with “BranchCache support.”

Disallow hash publication on all file shares.

Server Branch Cache Configuration 3

Client Configuration
Once the Server 2008 machine is configured, you must enable it on the client machines. It is disabled by default on client computers. Take the following steps to enable BranchCache on client computers:
Go to Start: Computer Management