What is IDistributedCache for ASP.NET Core?

The IDistributedCache interface in ASP.NET Core is designed to simplify the integration of distributed caching solutions into a web application. It acts as a built-in ASP.NET Core abstraction for implementing distributed caching in applications. This interface provides methods for developers to store, retrieve, and manage data in a cache that is distributed across multiple servers. This page discusses this interface, its purpose in web development, and how NCache provides a powerful implementation to improve application scalability and performance.

Core Characteristics of IDistributedCache

The following are the core characteristics:

• Abstraction: It abstracts any cache management specifics that must be addressed by developers so that they can focus on application logic instead of implementation details.
• Flexibility: It supports multiple distributed cache providers allowing the application to utilize any caching technology while keeping the code intact.
• Scalability: Distributed caching enables applications to scale out better through the distribution of cache data on multiple servers.

Benefits of Using IDistributedCache

The following are the advantages of using the ASP.NET Core Distributed Caching interface:

• Enhanced Performance: Caches frequently accessed data, thereby minimizing expensive calls to databases or any type of external calls, thus improving the response time.
• Scalability: Distributes cache data across servers so that single server load is reduced, facilitating more users or transactions.
• Simplicity and Maintainability: Allows for cleaner code which in turn makes the application easier to maintain and extend.

Challenges with IDistributedCache

The ASP.NET Core IDistributedCache presents the following challenges:

• Complexity When Implementing: The interface simplifies caching operations; however, establishing and managing the distributed cache infrastructure can get complicated.
• Data Consistency: Keeping the data consistent across the cache servers in a distributed environment becomes difficult, particularly under heavy loads and network partitioning.
• Cache Invalidation: Determining the criteria for when and how cached data becomes invalidated requires careful thought as it can result in users accessing outdated information.

• NCache Details
• IDistributedCache Docs
• NCache Docs

Using NCache as an IDistributedCache for ASP.NET Core

• High Performance and Scalability: NCache provides an IDistributedCache implementation that is highly scalable and performant. It can distribute cache operations across a cluster of servers, thus enhancing the speed and scalability of ASP.NET Core applications.
• Session State Caching: NCache’s IDistributedCache provider can be used to store ASP.NET Core session data. This improves the performance and reliability of session management, especially in web farm scenarios where users’ requests may be served by different servers.

Conclusion

The IDistributedCache interface in ASP.NET Core is essential for modern web applications that require distributed caching to improve performance and scalability. Implementing this interface using NCache not only fulfills these requirements but also adds advanced features that are beneficial for robust, high-performance web applications.

Further Exploration

For developers looking to implement IDistributedCache, exploring NCache’s comprehensive documentation and real-world examples can provide practical insights and best practices for effective cache management and integration.

• NCache Details
• NCache Docs