--- title: How to Enable BranchCache On Netapp CIFS shares - Inventive HQ description: "\"Learn how to enable BranchCache on NetApp CIFS shares to boost WAN file access performance with simple configuration steps.\"" image: https://hs.inventivehq.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/1507775452_featured.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://hs.inventivehq.com/blog/how-to-enable-branchcache-on-netapp-cifs-shares#main-content) ![](https://hs.inventivehq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/InventiveHQ%20Logo%20-%20RectangleWide.png?width=2200&height=1238&name=InventiveHQ%20Logo%20-%20RectangleWide.png)Homepage Get started Get started ![](https://hs.inventivehq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/1507775452_featured.jpg?width=1132&height=750&name=1507775452_featured.jpg) # How to Enable BranchCache On Netapp CIFS shares ![Sean Conroy](https://7528315.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528315/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-cms-elevate-theme_hubspot/elevate/images/avatar-placeholder.jpg?width=48&height=48&name=avatar-placeholder.jpg) Sean Conroy January 14, 2025 Branch Cache is a caching technology to help with performance when accessing file shares over a WAN. Netapp supports this technology and it can be used with compatible clients such as Windows 7 Enterprise and newer, and Server 2008r2 and newer # **Enable Branch Cache on a storage system** 1. Enable SMB 2.1: options cifs.smb2.enable on The command enables both SMB 2.0 and SMB 2.1. 2. Enable BranchCache: options cifs.smb2\_1.branch\_cache.enable on 3. Optional: Configure the time (in seconds) to keep an unused BranchCache hash in storage system memory: options cifs.smb2\_1.branch\_cache.hash\_time\_out time time can be 0 through 4000000. If you do not set this option, the default is to keep hashes in memory for 3600 seconds. In the example at the end of the procedure, the value was set at 7200. 4. Set the pass phrase that the storage system uses to generate hashes, enclosing the string in quotation marks if it contains spaces: cifs branchcache set key “your\_pass\_phrase” The pass phrase is a string that the storage system uses when generating BranchCache content hashes. You can reset the pass-phrase after you configure BranchCache. Changing the pass-phrase value results in all existing cached content being identified as stale. If data is identified as stale, content is retrieved from the content server and new hashes are generated and stored on the storage system. Examples: ``` options cifs.smb2.enable on options cifs.smb2_1.branch_cache.enable on options cifs.smb2_1.branch_cache.hash_time_out 7200 cifs branchcache set key “your_pass_phrase" ``` # **Enable BranchCache on a CIFS share** The -branchcache option is one of several available client-side caching options. Enabling BranchCache on a share also enables manual client-side caching. If you enable BranchCache on a CIFS share, you cannot enable local client-side caching using the -auto\_document\_caching or -auto\_program\_caching options. To create a BranchCache enabled CIFS share, enter the following command: ``` cifs shares -add share_name path -branchcache ``` share\_name specifies the name of the new CIFS share. path specifies the path to the share. Path separators can be backward or forward slashes, although Data ONTAP displays them as forward slashes. Example: ``` cifs shares -add projects /vol/vol1/projects -branchcache ``` ## **For more information:** Creating Share: [https://library.netapp.com/ecmdocs/ECMP1401220/html/GUID-06CCA071-D741-40A2-A23A-61FE36930D33.html](http://http://%20https://library.netapp.com/ecmdocs/ECMP1401220/html/GUID-06CCA071-D741-40A2-A23A-61FE36930D33.html) Enabling Branch Cache on storage system: [https://library.netapp.com/ecmdocs/ECMP1401220/html/GUID-A6D289F1-135A-49E7-BBAD-2328A63F491D.html](http://http://%20https://library.netapp.com/ecmdocs/ECMP1401220/html/GUID-A6D289F1-135A-49E7-BBAD-2328A63F491D.html) Elevate Your IT Efficiency with Expert Solutions ## Transform Your Technology, Propel Your Business Unlock advanced technology solutions tailored to your business needs. At Inventive HQ, we combine industry expertise with innovative practices to enhance your cybersecurity, streamline your IT operations, and leverage cloud technologies for optimal efficiency and growth. 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