Re: This sounds like a security disaster just waiting to happen...

["Larry Seltzer" <larry () larryseltzer com>]

> > http://www.microsoft.com/windows/enterprise/products/branchcache.aspx
> > This link redirects to Windows homepage now.

Not for me. I'll violate some copyrights by reproducing the main text of
the page here:

Improve application responsiveness with BranchCache
Increase branch office user productivity

BranchCache in Windows 7 helps increase network responsiveness of
applications, giving users in remote offices an experience more like
working in the head office. When accessing content stored on Windows
Server 2008 R2, users in a branch office don't need to wait as long to
download files from headquarters. When IT enables BranchCache, a copy of
data accessed from an intranet web site or a file server is cached
locally within the branch office. When another user on the same network
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.
Flexible Architecture

BranchCache can operate in one of two modes. In the Hosted Cache mode, a
server in the branch running Windows Server 2008 R2 hosts the cached
files. In the second mode, called Distributed Cache, a branch server is
not required, as copies of files are directly cached on PCs in the
branch and sent to other Windows 7 clients as needed. BranchCache only
serves content to users who have the right permissions and always checks
to make sure it is delivering the latest version of the file.
Versatile and Efficient Protocols

BranchCache supports common protocols for Web content (HTTP and HTTPS)
and file servers (SMB), enabling it to work with a wide variety of
application types. BranchCache only retrieves data from headquarters
when the user requests it. Because it is a passive cache, it decreases
bandwidth utilization between headquarters and the branch. BranchCache
only caches read requests, so it will never interfere with a user saving
a file. Finally, it works seamlessly with network security technologies,
including SSL, SMB Signing, and IPsec to improve application performance
even if the content is encrypted.

The information contained in this document relates to pre-release
software product, which may be substantially modified before its first
commercial release. Accordingly, the information may not accurately
describe or reflect the software product when first commercially
released. This document is provided for informational purposes only, and
Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to this
document or the information contained in it.

Larry Seltzer
Contributing Editor, PC Magazine
larry_seltzer () ziffdavis com 
http://blogs.pcmag.com/securitywatch/


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