The effect of Web caching on network planning

In this paper, the effect of Web caching on network planning, in the sense of bandwidth computation for the access link interconnecting the ISP's subn et with the Internet, is studied by means of simulations. The latency of a browser retrieving files is studied for given traffic characteristics, numb er of users, bandwidth of access link, and cache hit rate. From our analysi s, we find that using a well-designed Web cache with a 50% hit rate is more effective than doubling the bandwidth for an ISP's access link to the Inte rnet, with respect to decreasing retrieval latency. In other words, we can reduce half of the bandwidth of the access Link by using Web caching withou t compromising retrieval latency. The results are very encouraging and usef ul to the ISPs, enterprises and universities that are planning to interconn ect their Intranets with the Internet. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All r ights reserved.