Cisco brings caching technology into mainstream

Cisco has announced plans to incorporate recently acquired Tasmania's caching software in its Cache Engine 500 appliances, according to Cisco product manager, John Yen. Yen insists that the products will then be able to handle both more transactions per second and more concurrent connections.

Additionally, Cisco is set to start embedding caching, load balancing and quality of service functions into its equipment and software under its Content Networking Initiative.

Caching competitor, Inktomi, has unveiled new versions of its network cache platform for the enterprise. According to the company, the Traffic Server E-Class combines scalability with an open cache platform and robust APIs, thus allowing enterprises to deploy new services such as streaming media, content filtering, network-based virus detection and content transformation within their network infrastructure.

Last week, Novell announced that it had entered into partnerships with Akamai Technologies and Edgix. The result of these pairings will integrate Web content delivery services with Novell's Internet Caching System.

According to the companies, the integration of the technologies will improve Internet response times by physically moving content closer to users and distributing it at different points in the Internet infrastructure.

"Edgix's content delivery service, HotMedia, which will be deployed in conjunction with the Novell Internet Caching System at ISP points of presence, will allow ISPs to enhance their customers' Internet experience dramatically while reducing their upstream bandwidth costs," according to Martin Jasinski, vice president of service management at Edgix.

Next week, Novell will announce a partnership with Legend Computer - the largest PC manufacturer in China - in which Legend will build caching appliances based on Novell's technology.