ISPPlanet Cache Review Series - NetApp NetCache C720

Managing The NetCache

The NetCache's command line interface (left) is minimal, designed only for setup, network troubleshooting, reboot, and backup/restore. Most configuration and monitoring tasks are performed exclusively through the NetCache Manager, an HTML text, frames, and forms user interface.

The NetCache Manager (right) splits your browser window into two frames. Links in an upper navigation frame launch home, configuration, maintenance, monitor, shutdown, and on-line documentation pages in the lower frame. Pages are composed of text and forms; most are quite detailed and lengthy. Many parameters are accompanied by a one-line description, linked to context-sensitive help. Page settings are summarized when the "Commit" button is depressed; confirmation is required before changes are applied. We found this UI quick and reliable, but relatively complex: it can be difficult to "see the forest through the trees".

The UI and CLI are password-protected, access can be limited to trusted hosts, networks, or interfaces, authorization can be restricted by login, and Telnet or Remote Shell CLI access can be disabled. For additional security, purchase SecureAdmin software (left, $300 per NetCache server). This option protects against unauthorized management access and disclosure by sending SSL to your browser, or Secure Shell 1.5 to your own SSH client.

Network parameters are established during setup and can be modified from the Basic Settings section. For example, add port 80 to the Basic Configuration page (below, left) to enable transparent caching—but don't forget to modify Transparency settings in another section. Most ISPs will want to disable Domain Tree Search to speed DNS resolution and enable the Append Domain option in Network Settings instead. Basic Settings also include date/time; the NetCache doesn't support NTP but can synchronize with a UDP time service. Finally, use the Network Interfaces page (below, right) to add IPs and aliases that will be needed to configure web server acceleration later. It doesn't take long to observe that most tasks require making changes on more than one page. Fortunately, the Administration Guide provides step-by-step instructions for many common tasks.

Basic configuration page

Network Interfaces page