Abstract: A multi-proxy cache server supports unified forward and reverse proxy caching at a network edge of a defined content access domain. The multi-proxy cache server includes a memory cache, supporting storage and access to forward proxy data and first reverse proxy data, and a disk cache, supporting storage and access to second reverse proxy data. A controller, coupled to the memory cache and the disk cache, operates to retrieve, store and access content and further to receive and evaluate a content specification defining a plurality of content partitions for the respective preferential storage of a plurality of reverse proxy data sets.

Abstract: Multi-proxy caches are located at the edge of a defined network domain to support multiple network clients. A portion of a multi-proxy cache is operated as a reverse proxy cache, providing access to predesignated content selectively distributed from one or more origin servers. Portions of the reverse proxy can be logically designated to cache pre-fetched content, while other portions can be designated to cache content retrieved on an as-requested basis. The reverse proxy caches can be limited to selectively caching content specified subject to a defined scope of content from one or more defined origin servers. Storage of content to the cache is subject to cache content replacement policies differentially specified for different classes of predesignated content. Remaining portions of the multi-proxy caches permit caching of forward proxy requested content.

Abstract: A network edge cache management system centrally determines cache content storage and replacement policies for a distributed plurality of network edge caches. The management system includes a content selection server that executes a first process over a bounded content domain against a predefined set of domain content identifiers to produce a meta-content description of the bounded content domain, a second process against the meta-content description to define a plurality of content groups representing respective content sub-sets of the bounded content domain, a third process to associate respective sets of predetermined cache management attributes with the plurality of content groups, and a fourth process to generate a plurality of cache control rule bases selectively storing identifications of the plurality of content groups and corresponding associated sets of the predetermined cache management attributes. The cache control rule bases are distributed to the plurality of network edge cache servers.