topic Branchcache Support in Network and Storage Protocols

Branchcache Support

simoneyre — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 07:10:36 GMT

I'm trying to figure out if NetApp is supporting the new Windows 7/2008 Branchcache Function. There is some marketing material from NetApp and Microsoft that seems to indicate it is compatible, but there is certainly no implementation notes on NOW. I spoke to NetApp Support who didn't seem fully aware of branchcache (or if they were - they are confirming it is not compatible and would require a Windows 2008 File Server with LUNs).

Does anyone else have any insight into NetApp and Branchcache?

Thanks all,

Re: Branchcache Support

reena — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 09:51:23 GMT

NetApp doesn’t support BranchCache yet, it’s on our roadmap to support in the future ONTAP release.

Reena

Re: Branchcache Support

c_beseler — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 09:40:47 GMT

Hi Reena,

is branch cache now supported on ONTAP ??

Regards,

Claudius

Branchcache Support

dmorris — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 06:22:24 GMT

I would also like to know if BranchCache is supported by ONTAP 8 now? I can't seem to find much on it except a couple presentations say that a NetApp filer can be used, but I am unsure if they are talking about using CIFS directly from a NetApp or if they are talking about a Windows 2008 R2 Server connected to a LUN on a NetApp and the fileserver sharing the data instead of using CIFS directly from the filer. Of course the LUN way will work, but I don't want to have to run a VM just to share files when my filer already can do that.

Branchcache Support

vmsjaak13 — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 09:59:44 GMT

Same here: I'd like to know the status of branchcache as well.

Regards,

Niek

Branchcache Support

s_pellegrino — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:25:08 GMT

Same again, is there any support yet or support for future release?

Regards,

Sylvain

Re: Branchcache Support

pspringfield — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 15:37:38 GMT

I've just, today, had the question posed by a customer. I think NetApp need to answer the question frankly.

Kindest Regards,

Pete Springfield

Update:

I received the folliwing response from a very helpful NetApp person. I hope there is no objection to me pasting it in here to assist with the queries above. As an employee of Avnet, I ought to add the formality that I can't aford to compromise copyright so if you don't have permission to retrieve these documents, consult your NetApp reseller partner.

Data ONTAP does not support yet MS BranchCache. It will be supported in future releases but unfortunatly I cannot tell you when exactly. If you have the right permission, in the following presentation you can find interesting information about future NetApp solutions which include also MS BranchCache.

https://fieldportal.netapp.com/viewcontent.asp?qv=1&docid=30559

As you might already know, NetApp has a similar product named FlexCache. In case you have never heard of it, I send you also a presentation to get an overview about FlexCache.

https://fieldportal.netapp.com/viewcontent.asp?qv=1&docid=11034"

Re: Branchcache Support

toddgray — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 15:48:51 GMT

I realize this is an old post, but I wanted to provide an update. Microsoft Branchcache is supported in Data ONTAP 8.1.1 in both modes today. Below is a link to a recent NetApp Technical Report providing more detail:

https://fieldportal.netapp.com/Core/DownloadDoc.aspx?documentID=73728&contentID=76049

Re: Branchcache Support

kodavali — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 05:06:53 GMT

Small correction. BranchCache is supported in 8.1.1 but only in 7-mode. in 8.2 it is supported in C-Mode as well.

Re: Branchcache Support

pspringfield — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 08:35:05 GMT

Thanks for taking the trouble to reply to this old thread, this was of interest to me too. Would you be kind enough to post the actual document title, I can't access that link so I'll try a Field Portal search instead.

Regards,

Pete Springfield (Avnet)

Re: Branchcache Support

sam_wozniak — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 16:14:01 GMT

I just learned of the "CIFS branchcache" today when joining a new FAS2240 running 8.1.1 to AD. At the very end of cifs setup, I got the message "can’t set cifs branchcache server secret". I'll have to read up on this "branchcache"...