Content Caching (macOS)

Each device in a network downloads updates individually from the Apple server, resulting in more usage of bandwidth. Customers with many devices face bandwidth issues because each device individually installs the same updates directly from the Apple App Store server. Content caching provides the ability to:
  • Cache the software updates on one or more macOS devices in the network.
  • Cache the iCloud data on one or more macOS devices in the network.
  • Serve data to clients directly through content cache macOS devices instead of going to Apple servers.
  • Reduce bandwidth.
  • Increase availability of updates to all the devices in the local network.

Content Cache Settings

Enforce content cache Enable this option to prevent the device user from disabling the content cache on device.
Cached content type Select the type of data that cached. All caches both shared and iCloud content.
Use custom directory path for content cache This option allows the admin to define the directory used for the content cache. If kept disabled, it uses the default location.
Custom directory path This option appears when Use custom directory path for content cache is enabled. Define the custom path to the directory used to store the content cache.
Default directory path Define the default path to the directory used to store the content cache.
Limit content cache disk space This option allows the admin to limit the diskspace that can be used by content cache. If kept disabled, the maximum available space is used.
Cache size This option appears when the Limit content disk space option is enabled. Define the maximum disk space used for the content cache.
Auto-purge content cache Automatically purge cache to free up disk space. Keep this disabled, for optimal content caching performance.
Use custom port for content cache The option allows the admin to define the port number used by content cache. If kept disabled, a random port number is used.
Port number This option appears when the Use custom port for content cache option is enabled. Define the custom port number used by the content cache for uploads and downloads.
Log client details Enable this option to log the IP addressess and port number of the clients that request data from content cache.
Important: If this option is enabled, identifiers related to enrolled/non-enrolled devices may be processed which may include personal information.
Keep cache server awake Enable this option to prevent the macOS device from entering into sleep mode while hosting the content cache.
System notifications Enable this option to display the system notifications for exceptional conditions related to content caching.
Allow internet sharing Switch off this toggle to deactivate internet sharing from the content caching machine.
Automatically enable internet sharing This option appears when the Allow internet sharing option is enabled. Enable this to prevent users from disabling internet connection sharing.

Client Details

Cache content for devices using Specify which devices this content cache serves.
Local network of device uses Specify the type of device network used.
Note: Custom public IP addresses require additional DNS configuration.

Peer Details

Configure peer details If enabled, this option allows the admin to configure peers to either share or retrieve data.
Share and retrieve content from peers using This option appears when the Configure peer details option is enabled. Specify the peers with which the content cache shares and retrieves data.

Parent Details

Configure parent details When enabled, this option allows administrators to configure parents of the content cache.
Parent IP Addresses This option appears when the Configure parent details option is enabled. Specify the IP addresses of the parent from which the content cache can download and upload content.
Parent selection policy This option appears when the Configure parent detailsoption is enabled. Select the policy for determining the sequence of parent content cache selection.