Re: Apple Caching Server question

[Justin Wilson <lists () mtin net>]

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204675
Content types supported by the Caching service



Justin Wilson
j2sw () mtin net

---
http://www.mtin.net Owner/CEO
xISP Solutions- Consulting – Data Centers - Bandwidth

http://www.midwest-ix.com  COO/Chairman
Internet Exchange - Peering - Distributed Fabric

> On Jan 16, 2017, at 6:20 PM, Pete Mundy <pete () fiberphone co nz> wrote:
>
> > On 14/01/2017, at 6:25 am, Blake Hudson <blake () ispn net> wrote:
> >
> > lane.powers () swat coop wrote on 1/13/2017 7:43 AM:
> > > I saw the apple caching server mentioned on an earlier thread. Is this appropriate/functional/scaleable enough to 
> > > implement as an ISP? It is an intriguing idea. From the docs I could find, I couldn't tell if it was only geared 
> > > towards home / small business or if it could scale up to handle ISP level traffic.
> > >
> > > thanks,
> > > Lane
> >
> > I have no experience with the Apple caching service specifically, but I have used Apple products (including some of 
> > their server software) for decades. Apple used to make mac mini models exclusively for server use. Their low power 
> > draw and relatively high density makes them an interesting choice for those that don't mind using "desktop grade" 
> > hardware for a project. There are some folks that even make rack-mount solutions for the Mac mini and Mac pro 
> > (search for RackMac). That said, my experience with several mac minis is that you will have at least one fault that 
> > will put them out of production (dead PSU, faulty HDD, dead mainboard) in a 2-3 year period when ran 24/7.
> >
> > With Unix OS, a gigabit ethernet port, SSD, and i5 or i7, I would expect a mac mini to be as fast or faster than 
> > most other network appliances one might purchase. If one wanted something beefier, a mac pro would probably offer 
> > some expandability (on board dual 1gbps NICs + six 20Gbps thunderbolt 2 ports).
> >
> > I would see why one might be curious, especially if this could cache the IOS updates used for all those tablets and 
> > other iDevices folks purchase from Apple.
>
>
> Those dual Mac Mini 1U rack-mount cases are great! Two of the quad-core 'server' versions of the Minis gave quite a 
> bit of punch for only 1RU @ 300mm deep.
>
> I have a couple of these types of builds deployed for VoIP services in different DCs, both with auto failover from 
> one Mini to the other. But in the 6 years they've been operation we've never had any failure requiring use of the 
> failover machines :)
>
> Re the Apple Caching Server - I don't believe that will work at the ISP level. My understanding is that the clients 
> requesting their updates are redirected (by Apple's own servers) to the caching server only if the caching server and 
> the requesting client both appear (from Apple's perspective) to originate from behind the same (NAT'd) public IP 
> address.
>
> Pete