Release Notes NCache 4.4 (Service Pack 1)

Monday, April 04, 2015

Introduction

NCache 4.4 SP1 contains a few new features as well as important enhancements related to memory and performance of NCache. This is a recommended upgrade for all NCache users.

Enhancements and New Additions

Following are some enhancements made in this release:

1. Visual Studio Integration:

Basic management and configuration operations can now be performed within the Visual Studio. With NCache 4.4 SP1, the Developer installation comes with an ‘NCache Manager’ extension which helps developers manage NCache from Visual Studio. Visual Studio 2010/2012/2013 are supported by NCache.

2. NuGet Package for NCache Enterprise 4.4 SDK:

A NuGet package is provided for developers to build applications using NCache without installing NCache on their machines. With this package, developers can write their applications using NCache API and test them with InProc cache.

3. Entity Framework 6.0 Support:

Entity Framework 6.0 and 6.1 integration is provided in NCache 4.4 SP1. Previously, NCache supported Entity Framework 5.0 or earlier. In this service pack, NCache also provides caching extensions for Entity Framework 6.0 which allows developers more control over which entities to cache. This is an alternate to no-code-change configuration option for developers who want to have a greater control over the entities being cached.

4. Memory and Performance Optimizations:

NCache 4.4 SP1 uses customized data structures which are enhanced to take up less memory and perform better that .NET’s native data structures. These data structures avoid allocations on Large Object Heap (LOH) as much as possible to prevent NCache processes from entering into a state of severe memory fragmentation. Hence, NCache 4.4 SP1 has a major boost for both memory and performance.

5. Split-brain Monitoring:

Network partitioning or split-brain occurs when the cluster gets divided in such a way that some of the servers are unable to connect with the rest of servers. These instances are now logged into event viewer and email alerts for such scenarios can also be configured from NCache Manager.

6. Windows Server 2012 R2 Certification:

NCache 4.4 SP1 is certified for Windows Server 2012 R2. It has passed all Microsoft’s compatibility tests. Microsoft validated that NCache works in accordance with Microsoft’s standards.

List of Bugs Fixed:

• 744105 FIX: A few user specific NCache settings are saved to the HKLM section of the registry which throws errors in secured environments.
• 744106 FIX: Java client in Developer edition cannot connect to cache.
• 744107 FIX: NActivate shows NCache is successfully activated on the machine although it failed to save its activation information into the registry due to restricted rights.
• 744108 FIX: Aggregate dependency does not work when an item is added with both Aggregate dependency and Sliding dependency.
• 744109 FIX: NCache crashes during state transfer in some scenarios.
• 744110 FIX: Data sharing between Java and .NET clients does not work because of case-sensitivity of cache name specified in configuration.
• 744111 FIX: GetIfNewer does not reset item version when client cache is configured.
• 744112 FIX: NCache installation rolls back on its failure to start NCache service.