Q: Caching Server does not cache its own Installs from App Store

dlserver:~ mac-bruce$ sudo serveradmin settings caching

Password:

caching:ListenRangesOnly = yes

caching:ServerGUID = "2791E1FF-…

caching:ListenRanges = _empty_array

caching:ReservedVolumeSpace = 25000000000

caching:ServerRoot = "/Library/Server"

caching:CacheLimit = 150000000000

caching:PublicRanges = _empty_array

caching:LocalSubnetsOnly = yes

caching:DataPath = "/Library/Server/Caching/Data"

caching:AllowPersonalCaching = no

caching:Port = 0

dlserver:~ mac-bruce$

I also checked for an INVALID_DEVICE in the Caching debug.log - there were no instances of this.

Just the usual messages about Request for configuration and Request for blacklist from suconfig.apple.com failed.

I cannot read what you say under the screenshot.

Most of my testing had that setting for Cache content for clients connecting from: "only local subnets" - was actually set for "all networks". I think it reverted yesterday when I reinstalled it from Trash.

Regardless, I assume it would make no difference to get the Caching Server to cache its own downloads?

Did this but still no caching. Here is the Log from the Caching Server:

Jun 25 15:06:14 dlserver AssetCache[1244]: Caching Server version 149.4 started

Jun 25 15:06:19 dlserver AssetCache[1244]: Registration succeeded.  Resuming server.

Jun 25 15:26:09 dlserver AssetCache[333]: Caching Server version 149.4 started

Jun 25 15:26:09 dlserver AssetCache[333]: Request for configuration from http://suconfig.apple.com/resource/registration/v1/config.plist failed: The Internet connection appears to be offline.

Jun 25 15:26:09 dlserver AssetCache[333]: Reverting to last accepted configuration

Jun 25 15:26:17 dlserver AssetCache[333]: Request for blacklist from http://suconfig.apple.com/resource/registration/v1/blacklist.plist failed: A server with the specified hostname could not be found.

Jun 25 15:26:17 dlserver AssetCache[333]: 1 consecutive cleanup failure(s).  Will retry in 68 seconds.

Jun 25 15:27:29 dlserver AssetCache[333]: Registration succeeded.  Resuming server.

The Request for blacklist gave a different reason for failing this time.

It has worked rarely. A few times it cached some Mac software (mostly from others on the network, not by me intentionally), and several times iOS Device installs by others on the network were also cached.

It has never tested consistently when trying to install/cache to itself from the App Store by my getting/installing applications via the Store. In fact that has only worked once, I think, if even that.

I only installed El Capitan a few weeks ago and then the Server App 5.1.5 - and this is the first time I have ever used the Server App.

Currently, I am installing El Capitan on a MacBook and then the Server App - will see how that goes on a freshly installed and different machine. Unfortunately I will have to re-install the Server App via a download from the App Store, which is 190 MB and not re-usable (until it is cached). Given our bandwidth limitations here, this will take a while to do.

Are there other options to bypass the download of the Server App - such as using the Server App from the iMac I have been testing from - by dumping the Server app in the Trash and copying it from there to the MacBook?

And thank you for your persistence - much appreciated.

I tried copying the Server app but it gave me an error and would not complete:

"The finder can't complete the operation because some data in "Server" can't be read or written. (Error code -36)"

Error code -36 is defined as:

ioErr = -36, /*I/O error (bummers)*/

So I ended up installing the Server app through the App Store - after installing El Capitan and an update to bring it to 10.11.5 - on a MacBook Pro (Early 2011)

I tried copying the Server app again before doing any installation setup of Server, but the same error code came up.

I read up on AD and did not activate that with the new Server App. I just went with the defaults, turned on the Caching, and only changed Caching Content for Clients Connecting from: only local subnets TO all networks.

Still the Server will not cache its own installs.

Thank you again, Linc.

After working with Apple Enterprise Support they confirmed that this was a regional issue due to a mismatch between the Caching Server's Region and the Apple ID's Region.

I originally had tried to create an Apple ID for Fiji but I only have a US-based credit card, so I put that in. This approach apparently links me automatically to a US-based iTunes Store rather than letting me use a US credit card at a Fiji iTunes Store. Strange logic, it seems to me.

But taking into account yours and Apple Enterprise Support's feedback, I re-visited my Fiji-based Apple ID and created another on the client that is again linked to Fiji but has NO Payment information set up (by clicking NONE in terms of method of payment - at the end of the string of accepted credit cards).

This approach allowed the Apple ID to stay linked to Fiji and now caching is working fine.

I have tested various scenarios. E.g., the server, also using the same new Fiji-based Apple ID with payment method = NONE but with a Fiji address, allows the server to cache its own downloads.

Also the client, using the same Fiji-based Apple ID, is now having its downloads/installs cached, and using the cache for any downloads it needs that the server already has.

Multiple profiles on the client appear to make use of the server's cached content regardless of iCloud's Apple ID being based in the US or Fiji - but only if you change the download store to Fiji at the bottom of the App Store screen, and also use the Apple ID associated with Fiji when prompted immediately prior to the get/download/install click. Doing this once then associates the Fiji Apple Store with the caching server and makes use of the cached content on the server.

In addition, on the client, ONLY a Fiji-based Apple ID with NONE for payment method actually gets the Server to cache the client's unique downloads/installs. Again, this is because the Apple ID and the Caching Server's Region (the latter based on the location of the Public IP Address's origin, i.e., the ISP) must match.

So my only questions at this point concern whether there is a way to set up payment information on the Fiji-based Apple ID when I don't have a Fiji-based credit card?

I wonder if I can buy an iTunes Gift Card online and use it to build a credit in the Fiji Store? I can look into this more if someone doesn't already know or perhaps has a better approach. I can also look to get a prepaid Visa card in Fiji the next time someone goes to another island that has that kind of vendor/store.

Thank you for all your help.