System and method for cache acceleration

A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for satisfying requests between a client and a server, the method steps comprising:

• providing a first entity with a directory of information about objects stored in a cache of a second entity, the first entity for receiving a request from a client;
• determining whether the directory of information indicates that the request is satisfied by the cache of the second entity by querying the directory of information on the first entity;
• sending the request to the second entity, if the directory indicates that the request is satisfied by the cache of the second entity;
• and
• otherwise, sending the request to be satisfied by another entity.

A system for accelerating interactions between a client and a server comprising:

• an accelerator communicating with at least one client for receiving requests;
• a proxy server coupled to the accelerator and including a first cache, the proxy server adapted for satisfying client requests for objects;
• and
• the accelerator further comprising a proxy directory for storing information about objects included in the first cache such that accelerator has access to information about objects stored in the first cache thereby preventing the need to access the proxy server for at least some requests.