Web Cache Communication Protocol

Web Cache Communication Protocol (WCCP) is a Cisco-developed content-routing protocol that provides a mechanism to redirect traffic flows in real-time. It has built-in load balancing, scaling, fault tolerance, and service-assurance (failsafe) mechanisms. Cisco IOS Release 12.1 and later releases allow the use of either Version 1 (WCCPv1) or Version 2 (WCCPv2) of the protocol.

WCCP allows utilization of Cisco Cache Engines (or other caches running WCCP) to localize web traffic patterns in the network, enabling content requests to be fulfilled locally. Traffic localization reduces transmission costs and download time.

Protocol Versions

WCCPv1


WCCPv2

Primary WCCP functions

Registration

Assignment

Redirect from Router to Cache Engine

Return from Cache Engine to Router

Products that implement WCCP

Whilst originally designed for Cisco's Content Cache appliance they have since added support to other products, including:

Other vendors have also implemented WCCP support into their products, as it allows clustering and transparent deployment on networks using Cisco routers/switches without additional hardware. WCCP is of particular use to vendors of web cache/proxy/security appliances for redirection of web traffic. A list includes:

Company Product
EdgeWave iPrism Web Gateway
A10 Networks Transparent Cache Switching (TCS)
Aladdin/SafeNet eSafe Web
ApplianSys CACHEbox
Arahe SiteCelerate SiteCelerate
Barracuda Networks Barracuda Web Filter
Bloxx Bloxx Secure Web Gateway
Blue Coat ProxySG, CacheFlow
Citrix CloudBridge (formerly known as "Branch Repeater & WANScaler")[2]
CensorNet Ltd CensorNet Professional web filter
Clearswift Clearswift SECURE Web Gateway
CYAN Network Security CYAN Secure Web
Cymphonix Corp. Network Composer/Conductor
Exinda WCCPv2 support for Web Cache
F5 Networks WAN Optimization Module
Fortinet FortiGate (4.0 upwards) and FortiCache (2.0 and upwards) Appliances
iboss iboss' Distributed Gateway Platform
Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch series with AOS version 6.4.4
Trustwave Secure Web Gateway Formerly M86 Security/Finjan
MARA Systems CacheMARA
McAfee McAfee Web Gateway Formerly Webwasher
Microdasys SCIP SSL Content Proxy
NetApp NetCache (no longer available)
PerfTech, Inc. Bulletin System
Replify Accelerator
Riverbed Technology Steelhead
Sangfor Technologies WAN Optimization Appliance
Silver Peak NX Series
Apache Apache Traffic Server [3]
SmoothWall Ltd Guardian Web Content Filters
Sophos Web Appliance
Squid Squid
Stampede Technologies Stampede Application Acceleration Series
Taghos Tecnologia Hyper Cache
Trend Micro IWSVA 3.x/5.x and 6.x
Forcepoint Web Security Gateway
WebTitan WebTitan Web Filtering Appliance
Wedge Networks BeSecure
XipLink XA Optimizers

References

  1. http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/routers/ps9343/white_paper_c11_502351.html
  2. http://support.citrix.com/servlet/KbServlet/download/19285-102-19716/wanscaler_users_guide_5.0_090217_no_change_bars.pdf section "WCCP Mode", page 81 Citrix Systems, Inc.
  3. http://www.serverwatch.com/news/article.php/3936061/Apache-Traffic-Server-30-Accelerates-Performance.htm


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