This article contains instructions and best practices for configuring a shared web PDF folder on ILLiad server setups using multiple web directories.
Overview
By default, the ILLiad PDF folder on the ILLiad server that is used to store electronic articles delivered to patrons is installed under the ILLiad web directory at c:\inetpub\wwwroot\illiad\pdf\. This location is sufficient for ILLiad servers in which only one web directory is used. However, ILLiad servers that are configured with multiple web directories that share a single PDF folder can experience issues if this PDF folder is kept under the default location in the ILLiad web directory. ILLiad servers may use multiple web directories and share a single PDF folder under various circumstances such as:
- When multiple authentication methods have been configured under a dual authentication portal on the ILLiad web interface with each login method pointing to a separate web directory
- In shared server setups when multiple sites (NVTGCs) have been configured on the same server with each using a separate web directory, yet sharing a single PDF storage location
In these cases, the location of the ILLiad PDF folder should be changed from the default installation path by creating and configuring a new PDF folder that is located securely on the ILLiad server following the steps below.
Note on Use of Virtual Directories
It is not recommended to configure and use any virtual directories for the ILLiad PDF folder in multi-web directory server setups. Sites using a virtual directory setup for the PDF folder run the risk of copyright and other security concerns as the electronic documents will be publicly accessible. Therefore, any pre-existing virtual directory setups should be modified to remove these virtual directories from IIS and instead use a secure PDF folder location outside of the ILLiad web directory on the ILLiad server following the steps below.
Similarly, if any ILLiad email templates have been written to contain a preset URL that swaps in the ILLiad transaction number in order to provide the patron with a link directly to the electronic document (e.g., https://site.illiad.oclc.org/illiad/pdf/[TN#].pdf), then these links should also be removed as part of this process (see step 5 below).
Best Practices for Configuring a Shared PDF Folder Directory
The default location of the ILLiad PDF folder (c:\inetpub\wwwroot\illiad\pdf\) is insufficient for ILLiad servers on which multiple web directories have been configured as this folder may not be accessible to all web directories and may prevent some ILLiad users from accessing their delivered electronic documents. In this scenario, a new location should be created for the PDF folder that is outside of the web directory and instead located directly on the ILLiad server.
Configuration Steps
The shared PDF folder can be located anywhere on the server under c:\ILLiad\, provided that the steps for setting the PDF folder permissions and configuring related ILLiad customization keys are followed according to the instructions below:
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Create a new location for the shared ILLiad PDF folder on the ILLiad server (i.e., in a location under c:\ILLiad\)
Example: c:\ILLiad\pdf\Note: If migrating the PDF folder from a previous location, ensure that the files within the old PDF folder are copied over to the new folder. - Configure the IIS_IUSRS group to have Read, Read&Execute, and List folder contents permissions on the newly created PDF folder (for more information on this process, see Server Configuration and Permissions)
- Configure the following customization keys located under Borrowing | Electronic Delivery in the ILLiad Customization Manager:
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Set the WebPDFPath key to the location of the newly created shared PDF folder (e.g., c:\ILLiad\pdf\)
Note: The file path entered into this key must contain a trailing slash at the end. - Set the RemotePDFStorage key to Yes
If the server is a shared server setup, ensure that these keys are set for each site on the server. -
- Check the server's IIS configuration for each web directory and remove any PDF virtual directories that may have been created in the past to point to the PDF folder location
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Review all ILLiad email templates configured for electronic delivery in the Notification Templates tab of the Customization Manager and remove any URLs that link directly to an electronic document by substituting the transaction number into a preset URL (e.g., https://site.illiad.oclc.org/illiad/pdf/[TN#].pdf.)
Users should instead be directed to log into the ILLiad web interface to access their electronic documents. Current ILLiad email template defaults use the following language to direct users to their delivered electronic articles:
You can now receive this item by logging on to <#LocalInfo.SystemName> and choosing the "Electronic Delivery" option from your main menu. The URL for logging on to <#LocalInfo.SystemName> is:
<#LocalInfo.SystemURL>
Your username for <#LocalInfo.SystemName> is: <#User.UserName>.