Caching Server is now built into the OS

[sevoneone]

Doesn't look like this has been mentioned yet, but looks like Caching Server, once only available with Server.app seems to be built into the OS as Content Caching in System Preferences > Sharing.

This is awesome for home users with multiple Macs and iOS devices. If you're not familiar, caching server caches iTunes/iOS/Mac AppStore and iCloud content accessed on a local network. When another device goes to access or download the same content while on the same network, it downloads from the caching server instead of the internet.

 

[Squuiid]

This is awesome. As someone living in London with an abysmal internet connection (16Mbit ADSL is the best I can get), and lots of Macs in my household, this is great news.
I was always reluctant to install the Server app purely for this function. Now I won't have to.

 

[BrianBaughn]

More info on the macOS Server version of Content Caching.

 

[thirdeyeopen666]

This appears to only work for devices connected via USB. I’m having trouble picturing any scenario where this is useful. I don’t know why they don’t just enable the full caching server functionality.

 

[chrfr]

This appears to only work for devices connected via USB. I’m having trouble picturing any scenario where this is useful. I don’t know why they don’t just enable the full caching server functionality.

Where did you see that it only works over USB?
The full caching capability is indeed built into High Sierra. The USB tethered caching capability is new. This is mentioned in the developer release notes for the new version of the Server app.

 

[cudifying]

Sorry for the stupid question, does this mean I can use a regular NAS as a caching server?

 

[chrfr]

Sorry for the stupid question, does this mean I can use a regular NAS as a caching server?

No, you'd need to use a Mac as a caching server.

 

[SimonTheSoundMa]

Sorry for the stupid question, does this mean I can use a regular NAS as a caching server?

If like the Server app, you can change the location to any drive you want. Wouldn't be surprised if this is able to be configured with a plist edit. May want to create a iSCSI volume on your NAS so macOS sees the NAS as a native drive rather than a file share.

 

[Erdbeertorte]

By the way: Is it normal to get Remote Desktop updates if you never purchased that app?

 

[chrfr]

By the way: Is it normal to get Remote Desktop updates if you never purchased that app?

Yes. What you're seeing is updates on the client side, which is built into the operating system.

 

[negativzero]

This only works with High Sierra and iOS11 or is iOS10 supported too?

 

[sevoneone]

This only works with High Sierra and iOS11 or is iOS10 supported too?

Works with iOS 7 and up and 10.8.2 and up.

 

[thirdeyeopen666]

Where did you see that it only works over USB?
The full caching capability is indeed built into High Sierra. The USB tethered caching capability is new. This is mentioned in the developer release notes for the new version of the Server app.

Seems to indicate it in the smaller text next to the checkboxes. I have it turned on and not a single item has been cached yet.

 

[sevoneone]

Seems to indicate it in the smaller text next to the checkboxes. I have it turned on and not a single item has been cached yet.

The text about USB is related to allowing iOS devices to connect to the internet via the Mac's ethernet connection instead of WiFi. A way to give your iPhone/iPad a wired internet connection. Handy if your device has a long list of Apps that need updating/installing.

Is the mac where you turned it on connected to your network via Ethernet? The documentation says the computer running caching server should be hard wired. Could also be there are bugs to work out. The 'old' version in Server.app sometimes requires running a local DNS server with some custom entries to make caching work. I imagine this new version is using bonjour or other announcement protocol to do the same thing.

 

[thirdeyeopen666]

The text about USB is related to allowing iOS devices to connect to the internet via the Mac's ethernet connection instead of WiFi. A way to give your iPhone/iPad a wired internet connection. Handy if your device has a long list of Apps that need updating/installing.

Is the mac where you turned it on connected to your network via Ethernet? The documentation says the computer running caching server should be hard wired. Could also be there are bugs to work out. The 'old' version in Server.app sometimes requires running a local DNS server with some custom entries to make caching work. I imagine this new version is using bonjour or other announcement protocol to do the same thing.

View attachment 710200

It decided to start caching after the latest beta release.

 

[GuilleA]

Doesn't look like this has been mentioned yet, but looks like Caching Server, once only available with Server.app seems to be built into the OS as Content Caching in System Preferences > Sharing.

This is awesome for home users with multiple Macs and iOS devices. If you're not familiar, caching server caches iTunes/iOS/Mac AppStore and iCloud content accessed on a local network. When another device goes to access or download the same content while on the same network, it downloads from the caching server instead of the internet.

This is great and awesome news!. Having about half a dozen Macs and an equal amount of iPhones at home will make updates so much easier. I used to have a dedicated OS X Server back in the day for this feature alone.

 

[haralds]

Does anybody know whether the format has changed from the Caching Server in Sierra. It would be nice to be able to toggle booting between the two.