Caching in Webapi

Question

User1510805204 posted

I want to load cache when my web api application start. So in web api should i use memorycache or normal web cache can be used?

Answer 1

User765422875 posted

Microsoft recommends using MemoryCache.

"When you develop new applications, we recommend that you use the MemoryCache class."

More here:

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd997357.aspx

And here is another forum question about caching that I answered:

https://forums.asp.net/p/2100077/6068942.aspx

Answer 2

User1510805204 posted

Thanks for the reply. Suppose i have a web api which is in a distributed server. And if i have the memorycache mechanism implement in the application_start of the web api. Is that enough? or is there a Microsoft built in cache mechanism to control this?

Answer 3

User-2057865890 posted

Hi Manishev85,

You could use Microsoft class for this called MemoryCache which resides in System.Runtime.Caching dll or different ways(e.g. a library like CacheCow ) to implement cache for Web API.

reference:

https://code.msdn.microsoft.com/Caching-In-Web-API-cb40be30

https://damienbod.com/2014/05/18/exploring-web-api-2-caching/

http://blog.developers.ba/simple-way-implement-caching-asp-net-web-api/

Best Regards,

Chris

Answer 4

User765422875 posted

See my answer below. If you are using a single server, then you can set up your cache in the application_start. Microsoft does not provide a mechanism to control this. Its up to you on how to implement it.

Otherwise, its not a good option for a distributed cache.

Answer 5

User765422875 posted

See my answer below. If you are using a single server, then you can set up your cache in the application_start. Microsoft does not provide a mechanism to control this. Its up to you on how to implement it.

Otherwise, its not a good option for a distributed cache.

Answer 6

User1510805204 posted

Thanks for the reply.How will it behave if the hosted web api is in distributed environment? Does Microsoft has any caching out of the box to handle distributed environment or doing cache in application_start is enough? I will be placing static data which rarely changes in cache.

Answer 7

User765422875 posted

MemoryCache is not a good choice if you have a distributed architecture as you will not be able to easily synchronize your caches. If you do have a distributed architecture and require something robust - then I recommend Redis along with the .NET client developed by stackexchange.

If you have single web server then System.Runtime.Caching or the MemoryCache are sufficient.

Answer 8

User1510805204 posted

Is there any caching for distributed architecture out of box from Microsoft, if yes then any examples? Our client is little skeptic of not using 3rd part tools.

Answer 9

User765422875 posted

Yes and no. It used to be AppFabric, but Microsoft has or will be ending support for it soon. If you want Microsoft support, then you will have to use Azure's redis provider. But redis can also be hosted on prem.

You should tell your client that Redis is probably the #1 distributed caching solution and is supported both in Azure and AWS. Another option is NCache.

I'm not sure I can give you any clearer guidance on this. Hopefully, I've answered all your questions.