Abstract: Roughly described, a database accelerator is installed in a network having client systems which makes database queries to a particular IP address and port, and database servers which accept queries received at an IP address and port. The accelerator includes a cache, and is arranged to receive, through a network port, a database query made by a client system and directed to the particular IP address and port, return response data from the cache if available there, and if not, then forward the query through a network port to the database servers. Upon receipt of response data from the servers, the accelerator can retain it in its cache in addition to forwarding it back to the client. By installing the accelerator transparently in the network, no changes are required to either the client or server software in order to add query caching functionality to an existing client/server database arrangement.