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.

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