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The read-ahead cache problem

We have determined that users of Novell BorderManager v3.0 or greater may experience difficulties in accessing our site or may not be able to see the navigation panel down the side of each page.

This is due to a bug in BorderManager, which creates what is known as an 'IP packet storm' in attempting to anticipate files that users wish to see on a website by reading ahead into a cache the various images and links used in any given document. Novell has been informed of this bug, and unfortunately we have had no alternative but to deny access to our site from known badly-configured BorderManager-enhanced domains.

The purpose behind the read-ahead cache is to theoretically increase the performance of the user's machine by downloading all files and images required prior to the user wishing to see them, but due to the aforementioned bug, a storm of IP signals are generated by the user which then floods the site that the user is trying to access, creating an alarming drop in performance for ALL users of that site.

ALIAnet has been badly affected by this bug, and has had no choice but to block sites that use BorderManager and have their 'read-ahead cache for images' turned ON. We advise all BorderManager administrators to turn OFF this 'feature' to allow access to ALL users of our site.