Configure external cache groups

The dynamic cache can control caches outside of the application server, such as the Edge server, an IBM HTTP Server, or an HTTP Server ESI Fragment Processor plug-in.

When external cache groups are defined, the dynamic cache matches externally cacheable cache entries with those groups, and pushes cache entries and invalidations out to those groups. This allows WebSphere Application Server to manage dynamic content beyond the application server. The content can then be served from the external cache, instead of the application server, improving savings in performance.

Tasks

1. Open the administrative console.
2. Enable the dynamic cache.

   1. In the administrative console, click...

              Servers > Server Types > WebSphere application servers > server > Container services > Dynamic cache service.

   2. Select Enable service at server startup to enable the dynamic cache each time the application server starts.

3. Define the external cache group that WAS should control.

   1. In the administrative console, click...

              Servers > Server Types > WebSphere application servers > server > Container services > Dynamic cache service > External cache groups.

   2. Click New or choose an external cache group from the list.

4. Configure cache group members.

   1. Click External cache groups from the dynamic cache administrative console page. Then click New or choose an external cache group from the list.

   2. Click External cache group members > New or choose an external cache group member from the list.

   3. Type the configuration string in the Address field.

   4. Type the adapter bean name in the Adapter Bean Name field.

   5. Save the configuration.

   6. Click Apply or OK.

Subtopics

• External cache group collection
  Use this page to define sets of external caches that are controlled by WAS on web servers such as IBM Edge Server and IBM HTTP Server.
• External cache group settings
  Configure sets of external caches that are controlled by WAS on web servers, such as IBM Edge Server and IBM HTTP Server.
• External cache group member collection
  Use this page to define specific caches that are members of a cache group.
• External cache group member settings
  Use this page to define a single cache that is controlled by WAS.

• Configure high-speed caching using FRCA with the WAS on z/OS
  The z/OS Communications Server TCP/IP contains a high-speed cache that is referred to as the Fast Response Cache Accelerator. We can configure the WebSphere Application Server on z/OS to cache static and dynamic content into the FRCA cache.
• Configure high-speed external caching through the web server
  IBM HTTP Server for Windows 2003 operating systems contains a high-speed cache referred to as the Fast Response Cache Accelerator, or cache accelerator. The Fast Response Cache Accelerator is available on Windows 2003 operating systems and AIX platforms. However, support to cache dynamic content is only available on Windows 2003 operating systems. We can enable cache accelerator to cache static and dynamic content.