HTTP prepopulation, in RiOS 7.0 or later, is an enhanced HTTP-based data delivery method. HTTP prepopulation delivers data to the remote site by using the HTTP protocol to prewarm your RiOS data store. HTTP prepopulation uses the HTTP protocol to read and deliver data. The feature delivers any data content residing on a Web server, including on-demand video streams at remote site. Remote users can have an enhanced viewing experience. For more information about video optimization, see the SteelHead Deployment Guide.

HTTP prepopulation requires that you configure and connect the primary interface for full functionality. HTTP prepopulation is only available through the command line. Configuration is only on the client-side SteelHead.

To configure HTTP prepopulation you create a list composed of URLs that contain the data you want optimized. You can configure up to 100 lists, and you can include an unlimited number of URLs within each list.

For example, you can combine URL links to multiple Human Resource training videos in one list named HRvideos. The URL link must reference a filename with an extension in the URL link such as http://www.example.com/video/example.mp4, and not reference a general URL link such as http://www.youtube.com/videoexample.

Figure 10‑5 shows a Web server directory listing. The HTTP prepopulation functionality recursively downloads the entire folder content.

The following example shows how to configure HTTP prepopulation with the list name HRvideos. List names are case sensitive.

HTTP prepopulation time varies, depending on transfer time. If you want to maintain access to the CLI, Riverbed recommends that you use the job command to run the transfer at a specified time to run the transfer during off hours.

An example of the job command is as follows:

Additional various supporting commands follow:

For more information about HTTP prepopulation commands, see Microsoft Silverlight, Apple HLS, and Adobe Flash and the Riverbed Command-Line Interface Reference Manual.

In RiOS v7.0 and later, the SteelHead supports prepopulation for Microsoft Silverlight On-demand streaming content. In RiOS v8.5 and later, the SteelHead supports prepopulation for Microsoft Silverlight Video, Apple HLS, and Adobe Flash.

To prepopulate video, you must specify the manifest URL containing the manifest file. The manifest file includes information about the different bit rates available, the timeline markers, and so on. Manifest files are generally produced by video encoding software that supports their related format: for example, the Microsoft expressions encoder for Microsoft Silverlight is MP4.

In RiOS v8.5 and later, you can specify a URL (as opposed to specifically referencing the manifest file in the URL link as in previous RiOS versions). RiOS v8.5 and later automatically:

You need a browser plug-in on the client machine to play and watch the video. For example, Microsoft Silverlight is compatible with Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari.

The Microsoft Silverlight manifest file is an XML file, with a .ISM extension, that describes the live or on-demand video presentation. The Apple HLS manifest file is a text-based manifest file with a .M3U8 or .M3U extension that directs the player to additional manifest files for each of the encoded streams. The Adobe HTTP Dynamic Streaming manifest file has a .F4M extension.

To configure HTTP prepopulation, use the following commands on the client-side SteelHead: