Troubleshooting Network Caching Issues

To assist you in resolving this, we recommend the following steps.

First, we want to test that this is related to network caching, to do that, t est on different networks. Use various devices connected to different networks to verify if the changes are visible. The most effective method is to use a mobile phone with Wi-Fi turned off and connected to mobile data. If the updates are visible on mobile data but not on the school network, the issue is confirmed to be network-related. If that is the case, then the following steps could help resolve the issue for you.

Potential Fixes

1. Clear Browser Cache:

Instruct all staff and students to clear the browser cache on all impacted computers and devices. This can usually be done by accessing the browser settings and selecting the option to clear browsing data, including cached images and files.

If this hasn’t worked, we recommend getting your IT team or network providers to take over and look at the next steps.

2. Clear Network Cache:

Coordinate with your in-house IT team to clear the network cache. This may involve restarting network equipment such as routers and switches or clearing the DNS cache on your local network.

3. Verify DNS Settings:

Ensure that the DNS settings on your network are correctly updated to reflect the new server IP addresses. An outdated DNS entry could cause the alias to point to the older IP address, leading to SSL issues and outdated content being displayed.

4. Check for Proxy or Firewall Caches:

If your school network uses a proxy server or firewall, ensure that these are not caching old data. The IT team may need to refresh or clear the cache on these devices as well.

5. Update Local Hosts File:

Check if any local machines have entries in their hosts file that point to the old IP address. If so, these should be updated or removed.

6. Refresh DNS Records:

Ensure that your DNS records, such as A, AAAA, and CNAME, are properly updated and propagated. Sometimes, DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours, and old records may still be cached by some ISPs.

8. Flush DNS Cache on Computers:

In addition to clearing the browser cache, have the IT team flush the DNS cache on individual computers. This can typically be done by running `ipconfig /flushdns` in the Command Prompt on Windows or `sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder` on macOS.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the caching issues and ensure that all users on the school network can see the latest updates to the website.