Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2016 BranchCache

BranchCache is a wide area network (WAN) bandwidth optimization technology that is included in some editions of the Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2016, Windows 8 and Windows 10 operating systems, as well as in some editions of Windows Server 2016 and Windows 10. To optimize WAN bandwidth when users access content on remote servers, BranchCache copies content from your main office or hosted cloud content servers and caches the content at branch office locations, allowing client computers at branch offices to access the content locally rather than over the WAN.

The playlist is broken down into 7 parts, detailing all the information needed to get yourself running with Windows Server 2016 BranchCache. Right below you will get my cliff notes on each video. If any questions, leave a comment right below or hit me up @bjtechnews.

Video #1
#deploy the main office branch-cache file server
> Server Manager > Next > Server Roles :: “BranchCache for Network Files”

#create a local Group Policy or global Group Policy to the OU with the Branch Cache server
> Win + R > gpedit.msc > computer configuration | administrative templates | network | lanman server :: “Enable: Has Publication for Branch Cache”
> Set: “Allow hash publication for all share folders”
> Create a folder within the C Drive > Right-click > properties > Sharing > Advanced Sharing > Caching > “Enable BranchCache”

Video #2
#configure a group policy to configure client firewall
> Open GP Editor (Active Directory) > Create New Policy > “BranchCache Firewall Policy”
> computer configuration | policies | windows settings | security settings | windows firewall with advanced security | inbound rules | add rule:
> Pre-defined: “BranchCache – Content Retrieval (Uses HTTP)
> add another rule – Pre-defined: “BranchCache – Peer Discovery (Uses WSD)

Video #3
#deploy the branch office “Hosted BranchCache” server
> Server Manager > Next > Server Roles “BranchCache for Network Files” > Features “BranchCache”
> link the “BranchCache Firewall Policy” to the OU that branch server is located
> Start servicing files :: PS> Enable-BCHostedServer -RegisterSCP
> check the status :: PS> Get-BCStatus

** make sure “ContentServerIsEnabled” is set to “True”

Video #4
#moving BranchCache folder location
> create a new folder for the BranchCache location
> Set-BCCache -MoveTo C:\dropZone (create a folder on another partition with a RAID setup)

Video #5
#change BranchCache drive percentage
> Set-BCCache -Percentage 10 (enter your number to change max volume size)

Video #6
#BranchCache configure client PC’s for Hosted Mode
> create new group policy in AD
> “BranchCache Client PC Hosted Mode Policy” (attached to OU where PCs are located)
> computer configuration | policies | administrative templates | network | BranchCache
> Enable: “Turn on Branch Cache”
> Enable: “Enable Automatic Hosted Cache Discovery by Service Connection”

**Test on a Client machine :: “netsh branchcache show status all”
> check for current status “Running”

Video #7
#BranchCache configure client PC’s for Distributed Mode
> created new group policy
> “BranchCache Client PC Distributed Mode Policy” (attached to OU where PCs are located)
> computer configuration | policies | administrative templates | network | BranchCache
> Enable: “Turn on Branch Cache”
> Enable: “Set BranchCache Distributed Cache Mode”
> Enable: “Configure BranchCache for network files”
> Maximum round trip network latency: 0(Zero)

Image credit: TechNet