Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 : Deploying Branchcache (part 1)

First we need to set up the file server to support BranchCache features. On LABFS1, perform the following:

1.	Open ServerManager.
2.	Select the Roles node then click the link Add Roles.
3.	Click Next to start the Add Roles Wizard.
4.	Select the File Services role. Then click Next.
5.	On the File Services summary page, click Next.
6.	Select the role services File Server and BranchCache for network files (see Figure 1). Then click Next. Figure 1. Installing BranchCache Role Service.
7.	Verify the settings on the confirmation page, and then click Install.
8.	After the installation finishes, click Close.

Note that BranchCache does not add an administrative node to the Server Manager interface.

After adding the role service, you will need to configure hash publication. This can be done by creating an Active Directory group policy or by modifying the local group policy on the file server. In this exercise, we will configure hash publications, using the local policy on the file server. To configure hash publication, perform the following:

1.	Open the Local Group Policy Editor by opening Start | Run. Then type gpedit.msc and click OK.
2.	Expand the nodes Computer Configuration | Administrative Templates, Network, Lanman Server.
3.	Select the node Lanman Server as seen in Figure 2. Figure 2. Local Group Policy Editor.
4.	Open the policy object Hash Publication for BranchCache from the middle pane.
5.	Select the option to Enable the policy. Then select the option to Allow hash publication for all shared folders (see Figure 3). Then click OK. Figure 3. Enable Hash Publication.

After enabling hash publication, you will need to enable BranchCache on shared folder that you wish to be cached in the branch office. Perform the following to enable BranchCache on a shared folder: