A Cache is a block of memory used for temporary storage of data (ie: webpages, etc..) that is likely to be used again. Your CPU and hard drive frequently use a Cache, as do web browsers and web servers. A Cache is made up of a pool of entries. Each entry has a piece of data or copy of the original information which can be stored in multiple locations. Each entry also has a tag, which specifies the identity of that particular piece of data in your storage. When the Cache client (web browser, ISP, or operating system) wishes to access this data it first checks the Cache. This helps save time and reduces the workload on the system using the Cached client. If you use your web browser and an entry can be found with a tag matching that of the desired data, then the Cached version is used instead. This situation is known as a Cache Hit. When the Cache is consulted and found not to contain data with the desired tag, it is known as a Cache Miss.

So, for example, a web browser program might check its Local Cache stored on your computer to see if it has a local copy of the contents of a web page at based on a particular URL. In this example, the URL is the tag, and the contents of the web page is the data. The percentage of accesses that result in Cache Hits or Cache Misses is known as the Hit Rate or Hit Ratio of the cache.

Most systems fetch and retrieve updated versions of your stored data or Cache every 24-72 hours. This means that your ISP and your local system can at anytime have an out of date version of your data (i.e. website) in its Cache. If you have updated your website, migrated servers or changed webhosts you may not immediately see the changes you made. This could be because your local system has an out of date copy or your ISP's system has not clear their Master Cache. Follow the steps below to clear your local systems Cache first. If this does not do the trick then you may need to contact your ISP and request they manually flush their current cache. Depending on the ISP if they refuse you will have to wait for them to automatically clear their Cache which may take 24-72 hours for them to do.

How do I clear my browsers Cache?

Every browser has a specific way to clear the cache. Below you will find the instructions for the most common browsers.

For Internet Explorer 4.x and Up

Click Tools from the Internet Explorer menubar
Click Internet Options
Click the General Tab
Click the Delete Files button in the Temporary Internet files section
If you still have a problem, repeat the steps above and restart the computer.
Please refer to the Internet Explorer Support page for more details on How and Why to Clear Your Cache

For FireFox 1.5x and Up

Click Tools from the FireFox menubar
Click Clear Private Data...Ctrl+Shift+Del
Make sure the box is checked next to each option you wish to Clear Private Data for. (Browsing History, Cache, Cookies, Authenticated Sessions)
Click the Clear Private Data Now button.
If you still have a problem, repeat the steps above and restart the computer.

For Netscape 4.x and Up

Click Preferences... from the Edit menu
Click Edit from the Netscape menubar
Expand the Advanced menu by clicking the triangle sign
Click Cache
Click both the Clear Memory Cache and the Clear Disk Cache buttons.
If you still have a problem, repeat the steps above and restart the computer.

For Mozilla 1.x and Up

Click Edit from the Mozilla menubar
Click Preferences... from the Edit menu
Expand the Advanced menu by clicking the plus sign
Click Cache
Click the Clear Cache button
If you still have a problem, repeat the steps above and restart the computer.

For Opera

Click Edit from the Opera menubar
Click Preferences... from the File menu
Click the History and Cache menu
Click Cache
Click ok to close the Preferences menu
If you still have a problem, repeat the steps above and restart the computer.
Please refer to the Opera support page for more detailed information on Web Caching

For AOL 3.x and Up

Start AOLfrom the AOL menu bar
Select Keyword > Go to Keyword
type the keyword preferences
Click Go
Dialog box: AOL Settings: Customize your AOL Experience
Select Essentials tab > Internet (Web) Options - Set Web browser options and properties
Dialog box: Internet Options
Select General tab
Click Delete files
Dialog box: Delete Files: Delete all files in the Temporary Internet files
Select Delete all offline content
Click OK
Click OK
If you still have a problem, repeat the steps above and restart the computer.
Please refer to the AOL Support page for more detailed information on Web caching

For Safari 1.x for Macintosh OSX

Open Safari.
Click on Safari in the toolbar and select Preferences...
Click on the Privacy Icon.
Click the [Clear] button next to the Cache option.
Click Ok.
Exit your Safari browser completely and re-luanch Safari.
If you still have a problem, repeat the steps above and restart the computer.
Please refer to the Safari Support page for more detailed information on Safari Issues

Knowledgebase

Search Articles

Categories

Help

Why Does Midphase Charge For A Dedicated IP

Related Articles

Can’t Find what you need?