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BranchCache on Windows Server 2012

Question
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Hi,
I'm struggling for setting up BranchCache with Windows Server 2012 R2. And my test environment is below:
- BranchCache Mode: hosted cache
- OS: Content Server (Windows Server 2012 R2) - Main DC
Hosted Cache Server (Windows Server 2012 R2) - Remote DC
Clients (Windows Server 2012 R2) - Remote DC
According to the table of online BranchCache Overview manual, my environment should be no problem.
But I couldn't make it.
I think BranchCache doesn't support Windows Sever as a Client OS. The reason why I thought is it worked great when I set up BranchCache V1 with 2008 R2 and Windows 7 combination long before.
Could you someone please give me your precious advice for me?
I must use Windows 2012 R2 as a client os. And my environment doesn't use AD.
One thing that I doubt is Offline files management on Windows server. I couldn't find it where offline files manager is. And there is a cautoin on online manual like below:
"If you use BranchCache for SMB caching of files and folders, do not disable Offline Files. If you disable Offline Files, BranchCache SMB caching does not function correctly."
Thanks in advance.
- Edited by Cheolsoo Saturday, September 24, 2016 6:42 AM
Saturday, September 24, 2016 5:05 AM
Answers
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Finally, I solved the issue.
Here is the taken action on Windows Sever 2012 R2 which was a BranchCache Client:
1. Install Features
User Interfaces and Infrastructure
Desktop Experience
Reboot
2. Desktop Experience -> Control Panel -> Sync Center -> Manage offlie file -> Enable offline files
Everything became great.
- Proposed as answer by Khalid Garayev Saturday, September 24, 2016 4:41 PM
- Marked as answer by Alvwan Monday, September 26, 2016 7:41 AM
Saturday, September 24, 2016 10:42 AM
All replies
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I just added Windows 8.1 as a BC Client. It woks well.
However Windows Server 2012 R2 doesn't work as a Client.
Please guide me any right dicection. I need to use 2012 R2 as BC Clients.
- Edited by Cheolsoo Saturday, September 24, 2016 7:03 AM
Saturday, September 24, 2016 7:03 AM -
Hi.
Yes BranchCache supports only windows 7 corporate, Windows7 Ultimate and Windows 8 Enterprise as a client.
- Edited by Khalid Garayev Saturday, September 24, 2016 8:20 AM
Saturday, September 24, 2016 8:18 AM -
Thanks for your update, Khalid!
However, could you tell me about the table in link below?
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh831696(v=ws.11).aspx
It tells us both Windows Server and Client OSs can work as Client OS.
Saturday, September 24, 2016 9:48 AM -
HI.
Operating systems for BranchCache client computer functionality
The following operating systems provide BranchCache with support for Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and Server Message Block (SMB).
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Windows 10 Enterprise
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Windows 10 Education
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Windows 8.1 Enterprise
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Windows 8 Enterprise
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Windows® 7 Enterprise
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Windows® 7 Ultimate
Best explanation of BranchCache is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgDN2c6FaaU
______________________________________________________________ Sincerely! Khalid Garayev
Saturday, September 24, 2016 10:32 AM -
-
Finally, I solved the issue.
Here is the taken action on Windows Sever 2012 R2 which was a BranchCache Client:
1. Install Features
User Interfaces and Infrastructure
Desktop Experience
Reboot
2. Desktop Experience -> Control Panel -> Sync Center -> Manage offlie file -> Enable offline files
Everything became great.
- Proposed as answer by Khalid Garayev Saturday, September 24, 2016 4:41 PM
- Marked as answer by Alvwan Monday, September 26, 2016 7:41 AM
Saturday, September 24, 2016 10:42 AM -
It's good that you have solved. Good lucks!!
______________________________________________________________ Sincerely! Khalid Garayev
Saturday, September 24, 2016 4:42 PM -
Hi,
Thanks for your posting here and sharing the resolution in the forum as it would be helpful to anyone who encounters similar issues.
If there is anything else we can do for you, please feel free to post in the forum.
Best Regards,
Alvin Wang
Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help and unmark them if they provide no help.
If you have feedback for TechNet Subscriber Support, contact tnmff@microsoft.com.Monday, September 26, 2016 7:40 AM -
Nope that's incorrect
Please don't post information that you haven't thoroughly researched.
Phil Wilcock http://2pintsoftware.com @2pintsoftware
Friday, September 30, 2016 8:58 PM -
this information is incorrect.
BranchCache is supported in Pro versions via BITS.
Of course servers can also be BranchCache clients.
Please do not comment on this topic if you do not know or understand the correct answer.
Phil Wilcock http://2pintsoftware.com @2pintsoftware
Friday, September 30, 2016 9:00 PM