Which Two Devices Support WCCP for Traffic Redirection?
Short answer
AE Cisco IOS routers and Cisco ASA firewalls support WCCP for redirecting traffic, while the Secure Web Appliance acts only as the WCCP client.
Question
Key Takeaways
The question tests whether you can separate WCCP's redirecting server role from the receiving client role — the trap is picking the Secure Web Appliance because it is the device the traffic ultimately reaches.
WCCP lets a router or firewall intercept and redirect web flows to a caching or proxy appliance. This page establishes that Cisco IOS routers and the Cisco ASA are the two devices that perform WCCP redirection, while the Secure Web Appliance acts only as the WCCP client.
Common mistake: Learners choose the Cisco Secure Web Appliance because WCCP exists to feed it, but the appliance is the WCCP client that receives redirected traffic, not a device that redirects traffic toward another node.
Expert Analysis
Why the Answer Is Correct
WCCP (Web Cache Communication Protocol) defines two roles: a WCCP server — the infrastructure device that intercepts traffic and redirects it — and a WCCP client, the cache or proxy appliance that receives the redirected flows. Cisco IOS routers implement the server role with commands such as ip wccp web-cache plus ip wccp web-cache redirect in on the ingress interface. The Cisco ASA implements the same server role with the wccp command and a wccp redirect statement on the interface facing the clients. Because both devices actually perform the redirection, options A and E are the two correct answers to a question phrased as "support WCCP for traffic redirection."
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
The Cisco Secure Web Appliance (B) is the classic WCCP client: it terminates the redirected GRE or Layer 2 flow and applies proxying, caching, and URL filtering, but it does not redirect traffic destined for another device. Cisco IPS (C) is an inspection sensor and has no WCCP redirect function. A generic proxy server (D) can only be the WCCP client role, and the exam expects the named Cisco redirecting platforms rather than a generic receiver. Option B is therefore close to the scenario but on the wrong side of the WCCP client/server split.
Community Comment Notes
Makate lays out exactly this client/server split, noting that IOS and the ASA redirect web traffic while the Secure Web Appliance "acts as the WCCP client." XBfoundX reinforces it, explaining the ASA and IOS routers "act as servers" and the WSA receives the traffic in transparent proxy mode. klu16 objects that "Cisco IOS is not a device" and prefers the appliance, but user_topic points out the exam treats it as a Cisco IOS device — a naming quibble rather than a technical distinction, and most commenters (AkosiRomeo, aa4a63c, kloug) settle on A and E.
Exam Strategy
When WCCP is described in terms of redirection, map it to the WCCP server role and select the infrastructure platforms — IOS routers and ASA firewalls — not the cache or proxy appliance that consumes the redirected flows. Treat "Cisco IOS" as exam shorthand for IOS routers rather than as a distractor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Cisco Secure Web Appliance not a correct answer if WCCP sends traffic to it?
Does "Cisco IOS" really count as a device in this WCCP question?
Discussion 7 contributions
Compiled from public community threads and reader submissions, lightly edited for clarity. Handles and vote tallies are shown as recorded, and comments reflect the views of individual contributors.
From public community threads 7
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Makate 👍 4WCCP (Web Cache Communication Protocol) is used to redirect traffic (commonly web traffic) to a caching or filtering device, such as a Cisco Secure Web Appliance (WSA). Cisco IOS (routers/switches) → Supports WCCP redirection. Cisco ASA → Supports WCCP for redirecting web traffic to devices like WSA. Cisco Secure Web Appliance (WSA) → Acts as the WCCP client (the device traffic is redirected to), not as the redirector.
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klu16 👍 4Cisco IOS is not a device. It's an operating system.
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user_topic 👍 3The exam has Cisco IOS device
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XBfoundX 👍 1the goal is to sent the web traffic to the Web Security Appliance, the ASA and the IOS Routers are going to send the web traffic redirecting it via the WCCP protocol, they act as servers, the WSA will act as the client that is going to receive the traffic in order to perform proxy functionalities (in this case we are talking about a WSA deployment in transparent mode).
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aa4a63c 👍 1Devices Supporting WCCP: Cisco IOS Routers: Cisco IOS routers are a primary device that supports WCCP for traffic redirection. Cisco ASA Firewalls: Cisco ASA firewalls also support WCCP, allowing them to redirect traffic to WCCP-capable devices.
Show 2 more comments
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AkosiRomeo 👍 1Cisco IOS → Cisco routers running IOS support WCCP. They can redirect traffic to a WCCP-capable device (like a web proxy or Cisco Secure Web Appliance).
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kloug 👍 1A,e answer
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