What is web caching and
content delivery?
A web cache
stores web pages visited by its users so that when the page
is next requested it can be served from the cache on the local network
rather than the internet. This saves the delays of requesting and retrieving
data from the original site and dramatically reduces bandwidth consumption. In a
typical school up to 90% of internet traffic is generated by pupils requesting
the same web content more than once - making caching particularly advantageous.
Content delivery solutions go beyond
pure caching enabling content to be
pre-positioned as close to the users as possible. For example,
ContentCache™
allows web content to be pre-cached or pre-loaded so that
it can be served
immediately from the local cache. Please see the Avantis White
Paper Caching and Content Delivery from a UK Education Perspective
to find out more.
The diagram below
shows a typical set-up on a school network.
ContentCacheT
deployed in dynamic caching mode
Key
Benefits:
| • |
Faster internet
access and web browsing allowing all pupils to fully
engage in whole class online learning |
| |
|
| • |
Accelerates
access to high bandwidth video rich content and e-learning
resources such as Curriculum Online - with or without
a broadband connection |
| |
|
| • |
Optimises existing bandwidth
- freeing up the connection for other bandwidth intensive
activities such as video conferencing |
| |
|
| • |
Aids lesson planning - teachers can specify content
for pre-caching before lessons and create simple to use
content menus for their pupils |
| |
|
| • |
More cost
effective option than upgrading to a faster internet
connection |
| |
|
| • |
Helps keep track of school and student web usage with
easy to understand reports and graphs |
|
The
Basics
