Re: WCCP

Hi Martin,

At 05:39 17/04/00, Martin Svensson wrote:
>Hi Everyone,
>
>I'm working on setting up a cache environment for quite alot of clients (>=
>10000) that today have their proxies configured to the firewall proxy
>(non-transparent).
>
>If we are to set up a squid-cache here (we use it today but just locally at
>one site, it 6 sites connected via a wan) and want it transparent so users
>don't have to change their proxies again do we have to use WCCP?

you don't have to use WCCP -- there are other ways of performing
transparent interception and redirection of traffic -- but they may not
suite your requirements (and/or budget).

>What are the benefits with WCCP instead of a rule saying that everything on
>port 80 to the fw is to be redirected to the cache? Can someone direct me

if you're just going to point default-route at a PC running squid, then
your network reliability is only ever as good as that PC's stability.
this may or may not be a good thing.

another issue is what happens when you want to scale your cache?
you need to buy a bigger box, and traffic distribution between multiple
boxes may then become a problem.

WCCP allows you to intercept and redirect traffic to up to 32 caches in a
cluster.
WCCP is a standard feature in IOS - so you probably already have it on your
router (assuming you run cisco routers).

another alternate approach is to put traffic thru a so-called Layer 4
switch. this has other issues associated with it, and in many cases, means
that you have to spend $$ to buy it in the first place.

>to a tutorial about wccp? I searched the cisco site but it's to much
>marketing b*llshit.. :(

we're working on adding a wccp-specific section to cco. stay tuned.

>We're considering Linux (we use it today with great satisfaction but not
>transparent), any problems?

there exists a WCCP module for the linux kernel, so you should be ok there.

cheers,

lincoln.

--
   Lincoln Dale           Content Switching
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