Windows 7 / Networking

Networking BranchCache

BranchCache uses peer-to-peer networking across LANs to reduce file sharing and HTTP traffic across the WAN. After you enable BranchCache, client computers running Windows 7 keep a local cached copy of data that they copy from a file or Web server running Windows Server 2008 R2. If another computer running Windows 7 on the same LAN or branch office needs the same data, it can copy it directly from the local cache, reducing WAN bandwidth usage and potentially improving performance.

BranchCache Architectures

BranchCache can function in one of two architectures: Hosted Cache and Distributed Cache. Hosted Cache is the preferred architecture, but it requires that a computer running Windows Server 2008 R2 be deployed to each regional office. Distributed Cache copies files directly between client computers running Windows 7 and thus does not require a server to be deployed to the regional offices. Hosted Cache provides caching for an entire branch office, even if it has multiple LANs, and allows cached data to be used even if the client that cached the data disconnects from the network. Distributed Cache caches only within a LAN, but it can be used for branch offices with clients running Windows 7 that cannot support a computer running Windows Server 2008 R2.

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In this tutorial:

  1. Configuring Windows Networking
  2. Usability Improvements
  3. Network And Sharing Center
  4. Network Explorer
  5. How Windows Finds Network Resources
  6. How Windows Publishes Network Resources
  7. How Windows Creates the Network Map
  8. Network Map
  9. Set Up A Connection Or Network Wizard
  10. Manageability Improvements
  11. Network Location Types
  12. Policy-Based QoS
  13. Selecting DSCP Values
  14. Planning Traffic Throttling
  15. Configuring QoS Policies
  16. Configuring System-Wide QoS Settings
  17. Configuring Advanced QoS Settings
  18. Testing QoS
  19. Windows Firewall and IPsec
  20. Windows Connect Now in Windows 7
  21. Core Networking Improvements
  22. Networking BranchCache
  23. How Hosted Cache Works
  24. How Distributed Cache Works
  25. Configuring BranchCache
  26. BranchCache Protocols
  27. File Sharing Using SMB
  28. Web Browsing with HTTP (Including HTTPS)
  29. DNSsec
  30. GreenIT
  31. Efficient Networking
  32. What Causes Latency, How to Measure It, and How to Control It
  33. TCP Receive Window Scaling
  34. Scalable Networking
  35. Improved Reliability
  36. IPv6 Support
  37. 802.1X Network Authentication
  38. Server Message Block (SMB) 2.0
  39. Strong Host Model
  40. Wireless Networking
  41. Improved APIs
  42. Network Awareness
  43. Improved Peer Networking
  44. Services Used by Peer-to-Peer Networking
  45. Managing Peer-to-Peer Networking
  46. Peer-to-Peer Name Resolution
  47. EAP Host Architecture
  48. Layered Service Provider (LSP)
  49. Windows Sockets Direct Path for System Area Networks
  50. How to Configure Wireless Settings
  51. Configuring Wireless Settings Manually
  52. Using Group Policy to Configure Wireless Settings
  53. How to Configure TCP/IP
  54. DHCP
  55. Configuring IP Addresses Manually
  56. Command Line and Scripts
  57. How to Connect to AD DS Domains
  58. How to Connect to a Domain When 802.1X Authentication Is Not Enabled
  59. How to Connect to a Domain When 802.1X Authentication Is Enabled