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Booster Overview

Introduction

A Booster in the context of FileWave is a component designed to scale the management of devices within a network. It is a server component that can be installed on supported macOS, Windows, and Debian systems and is used to distribute data from the FileWave server to devices. Boosters can be used with both FileWave-hosted and on-premise servers. They are optional, but often valuable for environments that need local caching, reduced WAN traffic, or better deployment performance.

Booster Planning for Customers

Hosted Customers

For Hosted customers, a Booster is optional, not required. It is often recommended when you manage macOS or Windows devices from a FileWave-hosted server because it can cache Filesets and application installers closer to clients, reduce WAN traffic to the hosted server, and improve deployment performance. For Windows devices, Boosters can also cache Microsoft OS updates and patches. Boosters do not help Android, ChromeOS, iPad, iPhone, or Apple TV device-only workflows. For Apple OS updates and upgrades on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS, use Apple Content Caching instead.

If you choose to deploy Boosters, consider the architecture and placement before rollout. For this, refer to the Booster Deployment Planning article, which provides valuable insights and recommendations on Booster planning.

On-Premise Customers

For On-Premise customers, Boosters remain a valid and common architecture choice for caching, reducing server or WAN load, supporting distributed sites, and improving deployment performance. Refer to the Booster Deployment Planning article to plan and architect your Boosters effectively.

Why Consider Boosters?

  • Enhanced Performance: Implementing Boosters can significantly reduce the load on your hosted FileWave Server, ensuring smoother, faster operations.
  • Optimized Bandwidth Use: Especially if your clients primarily connect via a work network or VPN without split-tunneling, Boosters can help manage bandwidth more efficiently.
  • Cost Management: One of our aims is to continuously provide you with the best services at competitive rates. The more we collaborate in optimizing bandwidth (a significant factor in our pricing), the easier it is for us to maintain and possibly reduce costs. This mutual effort benefits us all.

Key Insights on Boosters

  • Applicable For: macOS and Windows Fileset/application caching, plus Microsoft OS update caching for Windows. For Apple OS updates and upgrades on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS, use Apple Content Caching.
  • Platform Compatibility: macOS and Windows Boosters support up to 400 active client connections; Linux Boosters support up to 2,000. These are connection ceilings, not a promise that any host or virtual machine can serve that many clients at full speed. Size CPU, RAM, storage, and network capacity for the expected workload. Before selecting a host or virtual appliance, check Booster System Requirements and the intended release's Booster platform and hypervisor requirements.
  • Functionality: Boosters essentially cache Filesets from the FileWave Server. • Resources: For a more visual understanding, please check our Boosters best practices video. Moreover, we've compiled a range of KB articles right here for your convenience.

Clients must be configured to use the intended Boosters. When the requested Non-MDM Fileset is not yet cached, the first client may wait while the Booster downloads it from the FileWave Server; later clients can use the cached content. If a Booster is unavailable or has reached its connection limit, the client tries the next configured Booster and ultimately falls back to FileWave Server. Include that fallback traffic when planning WAN capacity.

Since clients are the driving force, there is no need to store the entire repository of Fileset, but just those requested by downstream clients.  Boosters may also be configured to remove boosted Filesets which are deleted from the server, essentially self managing their storage space.

Boosters may be cascaded with each other, handling even the most complex network environments.

Whether your clients are on a centralized network or scattered across multiple networks (like remote workers or students), Boosters can be immensely beneficial.

What's Next?

If you're unsure about how to set up Boosters, or if you believe you've already implemented them but would like a configuration review, we're here to help! A quick call can clarify and assist. Please connect with Customer Technical Support about any issues that arise, but use Professional Services & Training for guidance on best practices as a paid service or leverage the YouTube video listed below.

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