Problem: BranchCache services do not work as expected.
Background: BranchCache services are installed in a hub and spoke topology; data center serves multiple branch offices.
File servers at the data center are enabled as BranchCache content hosts. BranchCache hosted cache servers set-up at each branch office.
Troubleshooting: There is not a single pane BranchCahce GUI for management and monitoring -too bad! The following steps confirm if BranchCache works:
1. Confirm BranchCache is properly configured and operational on the servers and clients:
PowerShell: Get-BCStatus
CMD: netsh branchcache show status all
2. Use Performance Monitor to check for real-time BranchCache activity (or lack of):
a) Open PerfMon.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaEXlvh3ds69vwO1NFoYK7YEHvOpbyNbxlJR0evx9HC97OkQ7M8HwN8EDFyW4OWimwiVi6jvFw5bkYVSctBRcT-M88hgW2qc_FaVsx2e6XYiX_zd4XR-ockm7KsbBK7xgbv7x7RklVZpB/s1600/BC2.png)
b) Add the BranchCache counter.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Q6r4_V_QR7NGyifRyUi05v1ZyMtBqqe3G9M9g2pIlZ5sDWKoy8nomLgTyYKqQk63HZxgJ6GWnZeEiVwoM2jzspm9_u1ACrrDBQUdElWoNUjzOYKAfnJRglfHxCBnWaee1QwHgLTRFtuH/s320/BC3.png)
c.) Change graph type to "report". The statistics will increase in real-time when any BranchCache file transfer takes place:
d) Transfer data. If BranchCache is working, the above highlighted numbers will increase in real-time.
Solution:
I missed the elephant in the room.
The problem was the specific version of Windows 8 used for the tests. Windows 8 Enterprise must be used when working with BranchCache; not Professional.
This may seem obvious to anyone that has worked with the 2008R2 and Windows 7 BranchCache; however all the prerequisites from Microsoft simply read, "Windows 8" whereas Microsoft specifically indicated, "Windows 7 Enterprise".
References:
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/14309.branchcache-frequently-asked-questions.aspx
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj590747.aspx#bkmk_pre
http://technet.microsoft.com/library/jj572990
Last updated March 30th, 2014 by Steven Jordan BranchCache Network Administration Windows Server
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