Plan BranchCache distributed mode deployment

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Updated: November 4, 2009

Applies To: Windows Server 2008 R2

When you deploy BranchCache in distributed cache mode, you must deploy client computers in branch offices. These client computers must be running either the Windows® 7 Enterprise or the Windows® 7 Ultimate operating system.

To plan for client computer deployment, take the following actions as required to create your deployment plan:

  1. Evaluate each client computer in each branch office and document the following actions:

    1. If the client computer is running either the Windows® 7 Enterprise or the Windows® 7 Ultimate operating system, and if BranchCache is already configured in accordance with the instructions in the BranchCache Deployment Guide, no action is needed.

    2. If the client computer is running either the Windows® 7 Enterprise or the Windows® 7 Ultimate operating system but BranchCache is not configured, you must configure BranchCache in accordance with the instructions in the BranchCache Deployment Guide.

    3. If the client computer is not running either the Windows® 7 Enterprise or the Windows® 7 Ultimate operating system and the client computer hardware meets the minimum hardware requirements for one of these operating systems, determine whether you want to upgrade the computer or migrate the client to another computer. After you upgrade or migrate the computer, you must configure BranchCache in accordance with the instructions in the BranchCache Deployment Guide.

    4. If the client computer is not running either the Windows® 7 Enterprise or the Windows® 7 Ultimate operating system and the client computer hardware does not meet the minimum hardware requirements for one of these operating systems, you must migrate the client to another computer that does meet the minimum hardware requirements for the respective operating system. After you migrate the computer, you must configure BranchCache in accordance with the instructions in the BranchCache Deployment Guide.

  2. Identify non-domain member client computers and plan to manually configure them in accordance with the instructions in the BranchCache Deployment Guide.

  3. Examine your domain Group Policy configuration and plan on enabling BranchCache client configuration in Group Policy for domain member client configuration in accordance with the instructions in the BranchCache Deployment Guide.

  4. If you are using DirectAccess, plan on creating Internet Protocol security (IPsec) rules that allow inbound and outbound BranchCache traffic on client computers in accordance with the instructions in the BranchCache Deployment Guide.

  5. Compare free disk space on client computers to the total amount of disk space it takes to store your source content on content servers in the main office. Ensure that the free hard disk space on clients at each branch office is sufficient to cache all of the main office content server data. Note cases in which you must increase the number or size of hard disks per client computer so that you can upgrade the hardware.

For assistance with client migration and upgrades, see Deployment and migration tools and information