Shijaz.com: Articles | Windows Server | Exchange Server | ISA Server |

 

Working with the ISA Server Cache

 

Shijaz Abdulla, MVP

www.shijaz.com/isaserver

 

 

Introduction

 

This article covers the following areas with respect to the ISA Server web cache.

 

 

Why do I need to cache?

Export, Import, and Backup Functionality in ISA Server 2004
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/isa/2004/plan/exportimportsettings.mspx
 


Viewing contents of the cache

To view contents of the ISA cache, you will need to use the CacheDir.exe tool, which is available as a free download from the Microsoft website.

 

1.    Install the CacheDir.exe tool on your computer running ISA Server.

2.    Open the Command Prompt, and navigate to the folder where you installed CacheDir.

3.    Type the following command:

 

cachedir
 

 

Preventing specific items from being fetched from the ISA cache

To prevent specific items from being fetched from the ISA cache, you will need to mark those items as obsolete. To mark items as obsolete in the ISA cache, you will need to use the CacheDir.exe tool, which is available as a free download from the Microsoft website.

 

1.    Install the CacheDir.exe tool on your computer running ISA Server.

2.    Open the Command Prompt, and navigate to the folder where you installed CacheDir.

3.    Type the following command:

 

cachedir

 

4.    In the details pane, you will see a list of URLs. Rightclick on the one you want to mark as obsolete and select Mark as Obsolete option.

 

Viewing contents of the cache

To save the contents of the ISA cache to a file, you will need to use the CacheDir.exe tool, which is available as a free download from the Microsoft website.

 

1.    Install the CacheDir.exe tool on your computer running ISA Server.

2.    Open the Command Prompt, and navigate to the folder where you installed CacheDir.

3.    Type the following command:

 

Cachedir –dump <filename>

where <filename> is the output file.

 

Clearing the contents of the ISA cache

 

Clearing the contents of the cache involves deleting the Dir1.cdat file on each of the cache drives. These files cannot be deleted while Microsoft Firewall service is running. Hence, clearing the cache involves stopping the firewall service, deleting the cache files and then starting the firewall service.

 

A VBS script which automatically does this is available for download from this website. Click here to download ClearCache.VBS file.

 

Was this Article Useful?

Post your comments!

 

 

Disclaimer

 

The steps mentioned in this are results of testing in a lab environment. The procedure might require additional testing before being deployed on a live environment. I assume no responsibility for damage(s) occurring due to following this procedure or any other procedure listed on this site. Use it at your own risk!