How GRM obtains content

How center and edge caches obtain content

In typical GRM deployments, GRM center and edge caches handle only CDN content in order to provide premium service to subscribers. CDN content can be

Pulled on demand in response to client requests
Pushed through the ContentDirector^TM software

For an alternative deployment, see Using a GRM agent cache to access the Internet also.

Content pushed through ContentDirector

ContentDirector is a Network Appliance software product that enables you to store content in a central location, such as a data center, and push that content to NetCache appliances located throughout the network. ContentDirector can be integrated with GRM to enable the GRM server to send content requests to the closest GRM agent cache that contains the requested content. This redirection combines the speed of prepopulated content and higher data integrity of geographic proximity.

With ContentDirector, you can target specific content for particular locations and make the content available before peak demand. For example, if you are providing a specific set of movie clips for a CDN, you can push those clips to GRM agent caches at off-hours, when demand on the network is low.

ContentDirector configuration provides the GRM server with information about domains, center groups, and center caches--information that administrators without ContentDirector who set up a GRM server must configure.

See the ContentDirector documents on the NOW Web site (http://now.netapp.com) for more information about ContentDirector and how to set up ContentDirector and GRM to work together.

Note
You can use the ContentReporter application from WebWasher Corporation to plan for and bill for content. ContentReporter gathers log files from each NetCache appliance and records the information in the ContentReporter database. You can then use third-party applications to create reports that help you with billing and with planning content to push. ContentReporter is available from Network Appliance sales representatives and from WebWasher Corporation.