What is Caching?

Caching is the local storage of network data for re-use, to cut down on transfer time for future requests. With Web pages, static caching simply serves objects -- typically images, JavaScript, stylesheets -- as long as they haven't passed their expiration date. But static caching can generally only be used for about 30 percent of HTTP requests, and that does not typically include high-value dynamic data.

Dynamic caching completely changes the caching model, making it possible to cache a much broader variety of content including highly dynamic Web pages, query responses, and XML objects. Dynamic caching is a patented technology unique to F5.

Also see: Application Acceleration

F5 products related to caching: BIG-IP WebAccelerator