Systems and methods for edge caching

A method of selectively providing data from a caching edge device, the method comprising:

• receiving, by the caching edge device, a first request from a first local device via a local network, wherein:
• the first request is destined for a first internet address accessible by the caching edge device via an internet connection to an internet service provider,
• a structure of the local network causes requests to internet addresses from the first local device to be transmitted through the caching edge device, and
• the first request is for first data located at the first internet address;
• determining to block the first request by analyzing a data metering of the internet connection using a forwarding rules engine, the forwarding rules engine including one or more conditional rules for determining whether to forward requests from the local network to external network addresses;
• in response to determining to block the first request, blocking, by the caching edge device, the first request, such that the first request is not transmitted to the internet service provider via the internet connection;
• and
• in response to blocking the first request:
• retrieving, by the caching edge device, a local copy of the first data stored to a local cache of the local network;
• and
• transmitting, by the caching edge device, the local copy of the first data to the first local device.

A system for edge caching, the system comprising:

• a local device connected to a local network;
• a caching edge device connected to the local network and connected to an internet service provider via an internet connection, wherein:
• a structure of the local network causes requests to internet addresses from the first local device to be transmitted through the caching edge device, and
• the caching edge device comprises:
• a processor;
• and
• at least one memory encoded with instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
• receive a first request destined for a first internet address from a first local device via a local network, wherein:
• the first internet address is accessible by the caching edge device via the internet connection to the internet service provider, and
• the first request is for first data located at the first internet address;
• determine to block the first request by analyzing the first request using a forwarding rules engine, wherein the forwarding rules engine includes one or more conditional rules for determining whether to forward requests from the local network to external network addresses;
• in response to determining to block the first request, block the first request such that the first request is not transmitted to the internet service provider via the internet connection;
• in response to blocking the first request:
• retrieve a local copy of the first data stored to a local cache of the local network;
• and
• transmit the local copy of the first data to the first local device.