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

• Explain the role of the BIG-IP system as a full proxy in an application delivery network.

• Set up, license, provision, start, stop, and restart the BIG-IP system.

• Configure basic networking, including VLANs and Self IPs.

• Use the Configuration Utility and TMOS Shell (tmsh) to manage and troubleshoot BIG-IP resources.

• Create, restore, and manage BIG-IP archives.

• Apply a structured troubleshooting methodology to identify and resolve issues.

• Monitor system status, availability, and traffic statistics to assess performance.

• Use iApps to update BIG-IP configurations.

• Perform troubleshooting using tools like iHealth, AskF5, and tcpdump.

• Leverage additional tools (ping, netstat, ssldump, Wireshark, diff, Kdiff3, Fiddler, BIG-IP logs) for issue identification.

• Understand log files, log levels, and filters for effective troubleshooting.

• Use High-Speed Logging (HSL) and SNMP traps for diagnostics.

• Describe the role of iRules in traffic behavior and apply them to troubleshooting scenarios.

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

• Configuring BIG-IP LTM: Local Traffic Manager v.16.1
• Configuring BIG-IP DNS (formerly GTM) v.16.1
• Configuring F5 Advanced WAF (previously licensed as ASM) v16.1
• Configuring BIG-IP APM: Access Policy Manager v.16.1
• Configuring BIG-IP AFM: Advanced Firewall Manager v.16.1
• Developing iRules for BIG-IP v.16.1