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We consider a cluster architecture in which dynamic content is generated by a database back-end and a collection of Web and application server front-ends. We study the effect of transparent query caching on the performance of such a cluster. Transparency requires that cached entries be invalidated as a result of writes. We start with a coarse-grain table-level automatic invalidation cache. Based on observed workload characteristics, we enhance the cache with the necessary dependency tracking and invalidations at the finer granularity of columns. Finally we reduce the miss penalty of invalidations through full and partial coverage of query results.In terms of system design, a query cache may be located at the database back-end, on dedicated machines, on the front-ends, or on a combination thereof. This paper evaluates the tradeoffs of the different cache designs and the cache location using the TPC-W …