6.2 Content Caching Protocols
Content caching enables the retrieval of content from networked computers. It supports content discovery, transport, data structures used for content, and the encryption process for securing content. Content caching has two distinct modes of operation:
Hosted cache: In which the content cache is on a single predetermined computer. This is a client-server model.
Distributed cache: In which the cached content is distributed among a number of computers. This is a peer-to-peer caching model.
The content caching protocols are described fully in the Content Caching and Retrieval Protocol Overview [MS-CCROD] section 2.1.2. This section describes the relationship among the protocols required for content caching and retrieval and section 2.2 lists the member protocols.