Configuring downloads from cache computers

There are two ways to use computers with the cache role:

• Automatic mode: In this mode, a computer that starts a download uses cache computers found on the network that meet the requirements specified in section Requirements for using a computer with the cache role assigned. If multiple cache computers are found, the solution automatically balances the downloads so that a single cache computer is not overloaded.

• Manual mode: In this mode, you select the cache computers that download data from the Cytomic cloud. You order these computers in a list in the Network Settings. Manually selected cache computers differ from automatically selected ones in the following aspects:

  • When a computer has multiple cache computers assigned, it does not automatically share downloads among them.

  • If the first cache computer in the list is not available, the computer tries the next computer until it finds one that works. If it cannot find any available computers, the solution will try to access the Internet directly.

Requirements for using a computer with the cache role assigned

Automatic mode

• The computer with the cache role assigned and the computer that downloads items from it must be on the same subnet. If a cache computer has multiple network cards, it is able to act as a repository on each network segment to which it is connected.

We recommend that you designate a computer with the cache role on each network segment on the corporate network.

• All other computers automatically discover the presence of the cache computer and redirect their update requests to it.

• The cache computer must have a protection license assigned.

• The firewall must be configured to allow incoming and outgoing Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) and Simple Service Discovery Protocol (SSDP) traffic on:

  • UDP port 21226

  • TCP port 18226

Manual mode

• The computer with the cache role assigned and the computer that downloads items from do not need to be on the same subnet.

• The cache computer must have a protection license assigned.

• The firewall must be configured to allow incoming and outgoing traffic on:

  • UDP and TCP port 21226

  • TCP port 18226

Discovery of cache computers

When you designate a computer as cache, it broadcasts its status to the network segments to which its interfaces connect. All workstations and servers set to automatically detect cache computers receive the notification and connect to the cache computer. If there is more than one designated cache computer on a network segment, computers on the subnet connect to the most appropriate one based on the amount of free resources it has.

Occasionally, computers on the network set to automatically detect cache computers check whether there are new computers with the cache role.

Configuring the assignment method for cache computers

• Select the Settings menu at the top of the console. Select Network settings from the side menu. Select one of the existing settings profiles.

• Go to the Cache section. Select one of the following two options:

  • Automatically use the cache computers seen on the network: Computers that receive these settings automatically look for cache computers on their network segment.

  • Use the following cache computers (in order of preference): Click the icon to add computers designated as a cache and set up a list of cache computers. Computers that receive these settings connect to the cache computers specified in the list.