Administering BIG-IP

This page provides information on how to purchase training for this course. It includes a description of the course, suggested prework, any required prerequisites, and links to purchase based on modality.

Key Info

COURSE ID:

F5-TRG-BIG-OP-ADMIN-SDT

PRODUCT FAMILY:

BIG-IP

TITLE:

Administering BIG-IP

COURSE LEVEL:

Core

MODALITY:

Self-Directed Training (SDT), Instructor-Led Training (ILT)

LENGTH (DAYS/HOUR):

ILT - 2 days

SDT - 19 hours

LANGUAGES:

ILT - English, French, German
SDT - English

PRICE ($$/TU):

ILT - $2640 USD/44 TUs
SDT - $600 USD/10 TUs

CONTAINS HANDS-ON LABS?:

Yes

SDT details

Begin the BIG-IP learning journey with Administering BIG-IP. Learn how to set up and operate the BIG-IP system as it is commonly deployed in an application delivery network. Through a combination of instructor-led lecture and hands-on labs, complete initial configuration including licensing, resource provisioning, networking, high-availability (HA), and more to establish a secure system. Gain practical experience implementing traffic processing objects: pools, virtual servers, health monitors, network address translation (NATs and SNATs), and more. Explore modifying traffic behavior with profiles that include SSL offload and re-encryption, and with persistence, including source address affinity and cookie persistence using the configuration utility graphical user interface (GUI) and TMSH (TMOS Shell) command line interface (CLI). Build troubleshooting skills learning various logging methods including local, high-speed, and legacy remote logging combined with practice using troubleshooting tools like TCPDUMP. Learn typical administrative and operational activities including user roles and administrative partition creation and management.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • 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 out-of-the-box
  • Create a basic network configuration on the BIG-IP system including VLANs and self IPs
  • Use the Configuration utility and TMSH to manage BIG-IP resources such as virtual servers, pools, pool members, nodes, profiles, and monitors
  • Create, restore from, and manage BIG-IP archives
  • View resource status, availability, and statistical information and use this information to determine how the BIG-IP system is currently processing traffic
  • Use profiles to manipulate the way the BIG-IP system processes traffic through a virtual server
  • Perform basic troubleshooting and problem determination activities including using the iHealth diagnostic tool
  • Support, and view traffic flow using TCPDUMP
  • Understand and manage user roles and partitions
  • Configure and manage a sync-failover device group with more than two members
  • Configure stateful failover using connection mirroring and persistence mirroring

    • BIG-IP Setup
  • Introducing F5 Solutions
  • Introducing the BIG-IP System
  • Initially Setting Up a Standalone BIG-IP System
  • Configuring the Management Interface
  • Activating the Software License
  • Provisioning Modules and Resources
  • Importing a Device Certificate
  • Specifying BIG-IP Platform Properties
  • Configuring the Network
  • Configuring Network Time Protocol (NTP) Servers
  • Configuring Domain Name System (DNS) Settings
  • Backing Up and Restoring BIG-IP Configuration Data
  • Using Single Configuration Files (SCF)
  • Overview of the BIG-IP High Availability Feature
  • Configuring DSC Communication Settings
  • Establishing Device Trust
  • Establishing a Sync-Failover Device Group
  • Synchronizing Configuration Data
  • Securing Management Access
  • Securing Self IP Addresses with Port Lockdown
  • Securing SSH Administrative Traffic
  • Securing HTTPS Administrative Traffic
  • Securing NTP Services
  • Running BIG-IP in Appliance Mode
  • Securing the Automatic Update Check and Phone Home Features
  • Securing the Default System Maintenance Accounts
  • Restricting Command Line Access by User
  • Tracking User Access and Actions
  • Enforcing a Secure Password Policy
  • Securing Persistence Cookies
  • Securing BIG-IP Generated HTTP Server Header Information
  • Getting Help If You Are Under Attack or Experiencing a Security Breach
    • Local Traffic Basics
  • Understanding BIG-IP Local Traffic Processing Configuration Objects
  • Load Balancing Traffic through a BIG-IP System
  • Monitoring Traffic Processing and Performance Using Statistics
  • Managing the Status of Nodes and Pool Members
  • Using the TMOS Shell (TMSH)
  • Managing the BIG-IP System's Configuration State and Files
  • Mapping IP Addresses with NATs
  • Solving Routing Issues with Source Address and Port Translation
  • Introducing Local Traffic Monitoring on the BIG-IP System
  • Deploying a Local Traffic Monitor
  • Managing Local Traffic Monitors During Application Delivery
  • Overview of Modifying Traffic Behavior with Profiles
  • Introducing SSL Offload and Re-encryption
  • Introducing Persistence on the BIG-IP System
  • Persisting Traffic Based on Source IP Address (Source Address Affinity)
  • Understanding the Impact of Object State on Persistence
    • Administering BIG-IP
  • Overview of Using TCPDUMP on a BIG-IP System
  • Interpreting TCPDUMP Output
  • Understanding TCPDUMP Filters and Options
  • Analyzing TCPDUMP captures with WireShark
  • Introducing BIG-IP System Logging Features
  • Logging Locally on the BIG-IP System
  • Logging Remotely Using High-Speed Logging (HSL)
  • Configuring Audit Logging for the BIG-IP System
  • Creating and Uploading a QKView
  • Viewing Diagnostics and Status Information
  • Troubleshooting
  • Examining the BIG-IP Configuration
  • Defining User Roles and Administrative Partitions
  • Overview of Upgrading a BIG-IP System
  • Planning for a BIG-IP System Upgrade
  • Preparing to Upgrade a BIG-IP System
  • Installing an Upgrade on a BIG-IP System
  • Considerations when Upgrading a Sync-Failover Device Group

    • ILT details

    Begin the BIG-IP learning journey with Administering BIG-IP. Learn how to set up and operate the BIG-IP system as it is commonly deployed in an application delivery network. Through a combination of instructor-led lecture and hands-on labs, complete initial configuration including licensing, resource provisioning, networking, high-availability (HA), and more to establish a secure system. Gain practical experience implementing traffic processing objects: pools, virtual servers, health monitors, network address translation (NATs and SNATs), and more. Explore modifying traffic behavior with profiles that include SSL offload and re-encryption, and with persistence, including source address affinity and cookie persistence using the configuration utility graphical user interface (GUI) and TMSH (TMOS Shell) command line interface (CLI). Build troubleshooting skills learning various logging methods including local, high-speed, and legacy remote logging combined with practice using troubleshooting tools like TCPDUMP. Learn typical administrative and operational activities including user roles and administrative partition creation and management.


    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 other of F5's BIG-IP instructor-led training courses.

    Chapter 1: Setting Up the BIG-IP System
  • Introducing the BIG-IP System
  • Initially Setting Up the BIG-IP System
  • Configuring the Management Interface
  • Activating the Software License
  • Provisioning Modules and Resources
  • Importing a Device Certificate
  • Specifying BIG-IP Platform Properties
  • Configuring the Network
  • Configuring Network Time Protocol (NTP) Servers
  • Configuring Domain Name System (DNS) Settings
  • Configuring High Availability Options
  • Archiving the BIG-IP Configuration
  • Leveraging F5 Support Resources and Tools
    • Chapter 2: Traffic Processing Building Blocks
  • Identifying BIG-IP Traffic Processing Objects
  • Configuring Virtual Servers and Pools
  • Load Balancing Traffic
  • Viewing Module Statistics and Logs
  • Using the Traffic Management Shell (TMSH)
  • Understanding the TMSH Hierarchical Structure
  • Navigating the TMSH Hierarchy
  • Managing BIG-IP Configuration State and Files
  • BIG-IP System Configuration State
  • Loading and Saving the System Configuration
  • Shutting Down and Restarting the BIG-IP System
  • Saving and Replicating Configuration Data (UCS and SCF)
    • Chapter 3: Using NATs and SNATs
  • Address Translation on the BIG-IP System
  • Mapping IP Addresses with NATs
  • Solving Routing Issues with SNATs
  • Configuring SNAT Auto Map on a Virtual Server
  • Monitoring for and Mitigating Port Exhaustion
    • Chapter 4: Monitoring Application Health
  • Introducing Monitors
  • Types of Monitors
  • Monitor Interval and Timeout Settings
  • Configuring Monitors
  • Assigning Monitors to Resources
  • Managing Pool, Pool Member, and Node Status
  • Using the Network Map
    • Chapter 5: Modifying Traffic Behavior with Profiles
  • Introducing Profiles
  • Understanding Profile Types and Dependencies
  • Configuring and Assigning Profiles
  • Introducing SSL Offload and SSL Re-Encryption
    • Chapter 6: Modifying Traffic Behavior with Persistence
  • Understanding the Need for Persistence
  • Introducing Source Address Affinity Persistence
  • Managing Object State
    • Chapter 7: Administering the BIG-IP System
  • Configuring Logging
  • Legacy Remote Logging
  • Introducing High Speed Logging (HSL)
  • High-Speed Logging Filters
  • HSL Configuration Objects
  • Configuring High Speed Logging
  • Using TCPDUMP on the BIG-IP System
  • Leveraging the BIG-IP iHealth System
  • Viewing BIG-IP System Statistics
  • Defining User Roles and Administrative Partitions
  • Leveraging vCMP
    • Chapter 8: Configuring High Availability
  • Introducing Device Service Clustering (DSC)
  • Preparing to Deploy a DSC Configuration
  • Configuring DSC Communication Settings
  • Establishing Device Trust
  • Establishing a Sync-Failover Device Group
  • Synchronizing Configuration Data
  • Exploring Traffic Group Behavior
  • Understanding Failover Managers and Triggers
  • Achieving Stateful Failover with Mirroring

    • Prior Knowledge

    The following free Self-Directed Training (SDT) courses, although optional, are helpful for any student with limited BIG-IP administration and configuration experience:

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


    • Register for your course


    To view and/or purchase the SDT Course click here: View SDT

    Please find below the current active sessions for the ILT. If there are no sessions listed below and you would like to register your interest in attending the ILT version of this course please email: support@mail.education.f5.com

    Administering BIG-IP - US Virtual (Feb 26, 2026): View ILT

    Administering BIG-IP - US Virtual (Mar 30, 2026): View ILT

    Administering BIG-IP - German-Language Virtual (Mar 9, 2026): View ILT

    Administering BIG-IP - UK Virtual (May 11, 2026): View ILT

    Administering BIG-IP - US Virtual (May 4, 2026): View ILT

    Administering BIG-IP - UK Virtual (Feb 16, 2026): View ILT

    Administering BIG-IP - US Virtual (Jun 29, 2026): View ILT

    Administering BIG-IP - UK Virtual (Mar 30, 2026): View ILT

    Administering BIG-IP - UK Virtual (Jun 22, 2026): View ILT

    Administering BIG-IP - US Virtual (Mar 23, 2026): View ILT

    Administering BIG-IP - German-Language Virtual (May 18, 2026): View ILT

    Administering BIG-IP - German-Language Classroom (May 18, 2026): View ILT

    Administering BIG-IP - German-Language Classroom (Mar 9, 2026): View ILT

    Administering BIG-IP - US Virtual (Jun 1, 2026): View ILT

    Continued Learning