Method and apparatus for caching in a communication network

A method for caching in a communication network, the method comprising:

• monitoring, by a cache management component, the communication network to determine network operational parameters;
• monitoring, by the cache management component, usage of cache associated with the communication network to determine cache usage parameters;
• determining, by the cache management component, a cost profile for cache usage, the cost profile based at least in part on one or more of the network operational parameters and the cache usage parameters;
• and
• transmitting, by the cache management component, the cost profile for cache usage.

A device for caching in a communication network, the device comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• machine readable memory storing machine executable instructions which when executed by the processor configure the device to:
• monitor the communication network to determine network operational parameters;
• monitor usage of cache associated with the communication network to determine cache usage parameters;
• determine a cost profile for cache usage, the cost profile based at least in part on one or more of the network operational parameters and the cache usage parameters;
• and
• transmit the cost profile for cache usage.

A device for evaluating caching in a communication network, the device comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• machine readable memory storing machine executable instructions which when executed by the processor configure the device to:
• receive a cost profile for cache usage, the cost profile indicative of one or more of network operational parameters associated with the communication network and cache usage parameters indicative of usage of cache associated with the communication network;
• and
• determine, by the application server, if caching of data is required, wherein determining is based at least in part on the cost profile.