This 2-day course gives network administrators, network operators, and network engineers a functional understanding of the BIG-IP system as it is commonly deployed in an application delivery network.

The course introduces students to the BIG-IP system, its configuration objects, how it processes traffic, and how typical administrative and operational activities are performed.

The course includes lecture, hands-on labs, interactive demonstrations, and discussions.

Course Topics

• Configuration Project
• Troubleshooting Methodology
• F5 Support
• Troubleshooting – Bottom to Top
• Troubleshooting Tools
• Using System Logs

• Describe the role of the BIG-IP system as a full proxy device in an application delivery network
• Set up, start/restart/stop, license, and provision the BIG-IP system
• Create a basic network configuration on the BIG-IP system including VLANs and self IPs
• Use the Configuration utility and TMOS Shell (tmsh) to manage BIG-IP resources and use as a resource when troubleshooting
• Create, restore from, and manage BIG-IP archives
• Understand and implement troubleshooting methodology to find and resolve issues
• View resource status, availability, and statistical information and use this information to determine how the BIG-IP system is currently processing traffic
• Use iApps to update BIG-IP configuration
• Perform troubleshooting and problem determination activities including using the iHealth diagnostic tool, researching known issues and solutions on AskF5, submitting a problem ticket to F5 Technical Support, and view traffic flow using tcpdump
• Understand the tools (ping, netstat, tcpdump, ssldump, WireShark, diff, Kdiff3, Fiddler, BIG-IP logs, etc.) available to use to identify BIG-IP and network issues from bottom to top
• List log files available, understand log levels, and use the appropriate files, log levels, and filters for troubleshooting
• Use High Speed Logging (HSL) and SNMP trap implementations to perform troubleshooting and problem determination activities
• Describe the role of iRules in affecting traffic behavior and how to use them to aid with troubleshooting and problem determination

Chapter 1: Setting Up the BIG-IP System

• Introducing the BIG-IP System
• Initially Setting Up the BIG-IP System
• Archiving the BIG-IP System Configuration

Chapter 2: Reviewing Local Traffic Configuration

• Reviewing Nodes, Pools, and Virtual Servers
• Reviewing Address Translation
• Reviewing Routing Assumptions
• Reviewing Application Health Monitoring
• Reviewing Traffic Behavior Modification with Profiles
• Reviewing the TMOS Shell (TMSH)
• Reviewing Managing BIG-IP Configuration Data
• Reviewing High Availability (HA)

Chapter 3: Troubleshooting Methodology

• Step-By-Step Process
• Documenting a Problem
• Putting Troubleshooting Steps to Use

Chapter 4: Working with F5 Support

• Leveraging F5 Support Resources
• Leveraging F5 Labs
• Working with F5 Technical Support
• Running End User Diagnostics (EUD) – Hardware Only
• New Platform Diagnostic Tools
• Always-On Management (AOM) Subsystem
• Requesting Return Materials Authorization
• F5’s Software Version Policy
• Managing the BIG-IP License for Upgrades
• Managing BIG-IP Disk Space
• Upgrading BIG-IP Software

Chapter 5: Troubleshooting – Bottom to Top

• Introducing Differences between BIG-IP and LINUX Tools
• Troubleshooting with Layer 1/Layer 2 Tools
• Troubleshooting with Layer 2/Layer 3 Tools
• Troubleshooting with Layer 3 Tools
• Troubleshooting Network Communication
• Troubleshooting Memory and CPU
• Troubleshooting with watch
• Troubleshooting with Additional tmsh commands

Chapter 6: Troubleshooting Tools

• tcpdump
• Wireshark
• SSL/TLS
• Fiddler
• diff
• KDiff3
• cURL

Chapter 7: Using System Logs

• Configuring Logging
• Log Files
• Understanding BIG-IP Daemons Functions
• Triggering an iRule
• Deploying and Testing iRules
• Application Visibility and Reporting

Chapter 8: Troubleshooting Lab Projects

• Network Configurations for Project

Chapter 9: Additional Training and Certification

• Getting Started Series Web-Based Training
• F5 Instructor Led Training Curriculum
• F5 Professional Certification Program

This course is intended for network administrators, operators, and engineers responsible for managing the normal day-to-day operation and administration of a BIG-IP application delivery network.

This course presents the prerequisite knowledge for many of F5’s other BIG-IP instructor-led training courses.

Students must complete one of the following F5 prerequisites before attending this course:

• Administering BIG-IP instructor-led course

-or-

• F5 Certified BIG-IP Administrator

The following free web-based training courses, although optional, will be very helpful for any student with limited BIG-IP administration and configuration experience.

• Getting Started with BIG-IP web-based training
• Getting Started with Local Traffic Manager (LTM) web-based training

The following general network technology knowledge and experience are recommended before attending any F5 Global Training Services instructor-led course:

• OSI model encapsulation
• Routing and switching
• Ethernet and ARP
• TCP/IP concepts
• IP addressing and subnetting
• NAT and private IP addressing
• Default gateway
• Network firewalls
• LAN vs. WAN

The following course-specific knowledge and experience is suggested before attending this course:

• Web application delivery
• HTTP, HTTPS, FTP and SSH protocols
• TLS/SSL