Manual Chapter : Accelerating Access to PDF Content

Applies To:

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BIG-IP AAM

  • 11.5.10, 11.5.9, 11.5.8, 11.5.7, 11.5.6, 11.5.5, 11.5.4, 11.5.3, 11.5.2, 11.5.1
Manual Chapter

Overview: Accelerating access to PDF content with PDF linearization

Large PDF files can provide a slow response in displaying content when the entire file must download before a requested page can be accessed. The BIG-IP device provides the ability to display a requested page more quickly by using PDF linearization (optimization). PDF linearization prepares the PDF file for byte serving, which enables the BIG-IP device to provide individual pages to a client when it receives byte-range requests.

All PDF files are constructed in one of two formats:

  • Nonlinear. A nonlinear (not optimized) PDF file typically provides slower access to specific pages than a linear PDF file because a page-offset index for the document's pages is omitted. For example, PDF files that are created for high quality print output are often nonlinear.
  • Linear. A linear (optimized) PDF file, in comparison, provides faster access to specific pages because a page-offset index for the document's pages is written at the beginning, enabling a web browser to send byte-range requests to access and display initial or specific pages before the entire file is downloaded.

When you enable PDF linearization, the BIG-IP device provides a linear PDF file, thus allowing expedient access to a requested page.

Task summary for accelerating access to PDF content

Perform these tasks to accelerate access to PDF content by using PDF linearization.

Task list

Accelerating content with PDF linearization

You can enable PDF linearization, or optimization, for a specific node to accelerate access to content within a PDF file without requiring a download of the entire PDF file.
  1. On the Main tab, click Acceleration > Web Application > Policies. The Policies screen displays a list of existing acceleration policies.
  2. Click the name of a user-defined acceleration policy.
  3. Click a node in the Policy Tree.
  4. From the Matching Rules menu, choose Acceleration Rules.
  5. On the menu bar, click Assembly. The screen refreshes to show assembly options.
  6. From the Content Assembly Options list, select Advanced.
  7. Select the Enable PDF Linearization check box.
  8. Click Save.
  9. Publish the acceleration policy.
    1. Click Publish.
    2. In the Comment field, type a description.
    3. Click Publish Now.
The BIG-IP device applies PDF linearization to the node, enabling a client to access a requested page without requiring a download of the entire PDF file.

Disabling PDF linearization for a specific node

PDF linearization, or optimization, provides access to content within the PDF file without requiring a download of the entire PDF file. You can, if necessary, disable PDF linearization for a specific node, requiring the entire file to download before being able to access the content.
  1. On the Main tab, click Acceleration > Web Application > Policies. The Policies screen displays a list of existing acceleration policies.
  2. Click the name of a user-defined acceleration policy.
  3. Click a node in the Policy Tree.
  4. From the Matching Rules menu, choose Acceleration Rules.
  5. On the menu bar, click Assembly. The screen refreshes to show assembly options.
  6. From the Content Assembly Options list, select Advanced.
  7. Clear the Enable PDF Linearization check box.
  8. Click Save.
  9. Publish the acceleration policy.
    1. Click Publish.
    2. In the Comment field, type a description.
    3. Click Publish Now.
The BIG-IP device disables PDF linearization for the associated node.