Internet Protocols Questions Medium
The purpose of the Internet Control Protocol (ICP) is to facilitate communication and coordination between caching proxy servers and origin servers in a distributed web caching system. It allows proxy servers to query other proxy servers for cached copies of web content, reducing the load on origin servers and improving overall network efficiency.
ICP operates by sending lightweight queries and responses between proxy servers, enabling them to quickly determine if a requested web object is available in their cache or if it needs to be fetched from the origin server. This helps in reducing the latency and bandwidth consumption associated with retrieving content from distant servers.
By utilizing ICP, proxy servers can efficiently share information about cached content, update their caches, and make informed decisions about whether to retrieve content from the origin server or serve it from their local cache. This protocol plays a crucial role in optimizing web content delivery and improving the overall performance of the internet.