byte caching

Byte caching is a technique used to replace repeated sequences in raw application data with shorter tokens in order to conserve bandwidth. The method is also known as dictionary compression, network sequence caching and transparent data reduction.

Byte caching is also used to eliminate the need for duplicated data transmissions in situations where repetitious data is sent back and forth, as a means of streamlining network performance.

This boost in performance is achieved through the use of a WAN optimization storage device. The device breaks data down into chunks and labels these chunks with a hash that is a smaller amount of representational data. The hashes are then sent first for comparison to data existing on the other end of a WAN optimization tunnel. If the data represented by these hashes is already present on the WAN optimization storage device on the receiving end, the data is not sent. If the hash is not found to be present, the data is repackaged to be downloaded.

Byte caching is often used in enterprises where mass business communications and file transfers are common, as well as in data center disk synchronization.

Data transmission reductions can be as great as 30-50 per cent, depending on the data that is sent. It is important to note that byte caching is only effective in situations where there is repetitious data being transmitted.