Plan content server deployment

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Updated: November 4, 2009

Applies To: Windows Server 2008 R2

When you deploy BranchCache, you must deploy at least one type of content server in your main office. The content servers you deploy can be new servers upon which Windows Server® 2008 R2 is installed, or they can be content servers that already exist that are running other operating systems.

If the content servers are running other operating systems, you must upgrade the servers to Windows Server 2008 R2 or install a new server running Windows Server 2008 R2 and then migrate the content from the old server to the new server.

To plan for content server deployment, take the following actions:

  • Evaluate each content server and document the following state and required actions as required to create your deployment plan:

    • If the content server is running Windows Server 2008 R2 and BranchCache is already installed and configured in accordance with the instructions in the BranchCache Deployment Guide, no action is needed.

    • If the content server is running Windows Server 2008 R2 and BranchCache is not already installed and configured, then BranchCache must be installed and configured using the instructions in the BranchCache Deployment Guide.

    • If the content server is not running Windows Server 2008 R2 and the hardware meets the minimum hardware requirements for Windows Server 2008 R2, determine whether to upgrade the server to Windows Server 2008 R2 or migrate the server to another computer that is running Windows Server 2008 R2. After you upgrade or migrate the server, BranchCache must be installed and configured using the instructions in the BranchCache Deployment Guide.

    • If the content server is not running Windows Server 2008 R2 and the hardware does not meet the minimum hardware requirements for Windows Server 2008 R2, migrate the server to another computer that is running Windows Server 2008 R2. After you migrate the server, BranchCache must be installed and configured using the instructions in the BranchCache Deployment Guide.

  • If you are removing or adding content servers, or if you do not already have a content backup plan in place, create or revise your content backup plan.

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