Apple Content Caching service
What
EveryApple deviceContent willCaching individuallyis reacha outmacOS toservice that stores Apple-distributed software, apps, and supported iCloud content locally so nearby Apple todevices pullcan Softwaredownload Updatesit from the cache instead of pulling the same content from Apple each time. For FileWave-managed fleets, this can reduce internet traffic during OS updates, app updates, and Apple app/VPP Apps and their respective updates. To alleviate the amount of external traffic, Apple provide Content Caching.deployments.
When/Why
AnyUse macOSa device may be configured to provide Content Caching. Once configured, devices residingMac on the same network will be told to useas the Contentdevices Cachingit deviceshould to pull all updates. This means each update is only pulled fromserve. Apple once,recommends a Mac with a wired Ethernet connection for thatbest network,performance. andClient devices willdiscover pullan anyavailable cachedcontent updatescache fromautomatically; they do not need a FileWave client setting for the device sharing this cache.
How
When a managed device is informed to instalrequests an OS updateupdate, an App Store app, or VPPanother AppApple-hosted (orasset, AppApple update),can direct it to a registered local content cache. The first request downloads the device reaches outasset to the Appcaching Store.Mac. Typically the device would then pull that update directly from Apple. However, for any registered Content CachingLater devices on that network, the responsenetwork from Apple would be to pull the update from the Content Caching device instead. For any update, the initial request for any one update will cause the Content Caching device to download the update first. Once downloaded all requesting devices may thencan receive thethat updateasset from the local cachingcache, serverreducing instead.WAN usage and download time.
Related Content
- Intro to content caching – Apple Support (UK)
- macOS User Guide – Apple Support (UK)
- Set up content caching on Mac – Apple Support (UK)
Digging Deeper
Content Caching stores its configuration is stored in the followingthis file:
/Library/Preferences/com.apple.AssetCache.plistAUse this Custom Field could be created, using the following code,code to determinereport devices which havewhether Content Caching Enabledis –enabled. It returns Boolean 0(0 (False) 1(or 1 (True):
defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.AssetCache.plist ActivatedA device could be set to cache, by way of a Custom Settings Payload:payload can enable Content Caching by setting Activated to true in the com.apple.AssetCache domain:
