Web Caching Engine

[eit-homing]

I need advice on which Cisco product can be used to perform web caching to reduce our internet http traffic. Thanks in advance. We have about 2000 users in the campus.

Ho

[mark.duffy]

I tried to get some sensible answers out of Cisco last year so I'm interested in other opinions as well.

I did a 1000 user install with Websense/CMS and WMT streaming using a 7305 with the 6 disks. The theory being that the more disks the better for web caching, ie making the CFS filesystem span as many disks as possible. You could probably make just one 7305 handle 2000 users but for that many users would it not be useful to have a pair?

Just my thoughts,

Mark

[mdtodd]

You definitely want to look at the CE line of products.

They will do what you are looking for. The 510 will probably do what you need.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/contnetw/ps761/index.html

Mike

[eit-homing]

Thanks. Do you know if there is any limitation for the concurrent tcp sessions? Are the 510 line capable to support 2000 users?

Ho

[mdtodd]

I can't find exact statistics on the throughput for the CE's. I did find statistics on the CE network module, which I didn't mention in my earlier post.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/modules/ps2797/products_data_sheet09186a008010fb9f.html

This module can handle 200 transactions per second and 11.7 Mbps throughput running in proxy mode.

I can't find any similar information for the dedicated CE for some reason. Keep in mind that "concurrent TCP connections" or number of users may not be the best way to measure the load on the device. How big is your internet connection?

Also keep in mind that the device can run in transparent or proxy mode. In transparent mode, the device won't be a bottleneck if traffic is beyond it's capabilities. In proxy mode it would be.

I wouldn't want to say "this can support x many users". There are a lot of variables in selecting the product. I would talk to an SE to size your network more accurately.

HTH

Mike

[eit-homing]

Hi Mike

Thank you for your reply. Our internet pipe is only 3M. We have issue with http traffic satuate all the bandwidth so we look into solution to minimum http traffic. Any recommendations? Thanks.

Ho

[Gilles Dufour]

go for the CE7305 with a lot of disk space.

The more space, the more pages you can cache and the less http traffic will go accross your link.

What kind of router do you have for your want link ?

If it's a small router, 1 CE7305 should be enough.

If it's a big one, you may add more CE in the future.

I will also suggest you to contact a Cisco sales person as they have all the numbers to figure out what device is best for what you need.

Regards,

Gilles.