Configuring BIG-IQ v.7.1

The course is for system and network administrators responsible for the installation, setup, configuration, and administration of the BIG-IQ system. Or, it can be undertaken by operators who require some knowledge of how the systems are setup, but usually concentrate on performing particular operational tasks whether on BIG-IQ or via BIG-IQ on the managed BIG-IP devices.

• Build the BIG-IQ system. Perform the initial setup, licensing and configuration, then connect it to the network so it's ready for use

• Take an overall look at the BIG-IQ product suite. What does it include, how does it approach BIG-IP centralized management

• With the BIG-IQ configured, connect and explore system features including the necessary initial tasks and associated steps

• Bring your BIG-IP devices running LTM under central management by BIG-IQ. Discover their current configuration and create and deploy new traffic passing objects to them

• The BIG-IQ needs a DCD to manage BIG-IP statistics and log data, see how to set it up and link it to the BIG-IQ system

• Take a deeper look into user accounts on BIG-IQ and see how to create very granular accounts which limit user access

• BIG-IP allows multiple devices to be configured into clusters. Learn how BIG-IQ remotely manages these clusters

• Configure two existing BIG-IQ systems into an active-standby pair. Create and synchronize configuration objects, fail the pair over, de-configure the pair and return them to standalone systems.

Day 1:

1 Introducing BIG-IQ

Build the BIG-IQ system. Perform the initial setup, licensing and configuration, then connect it to the network so it's ready for use.

2 Setting Up the BIG-IQ System

Take an overall look at the BIG-IQ product suite. What does it include, how does it approach BIG-IP centralized management.

3 Administering the BIG-IQ System

With the BIG-IQ configured, steps on connecting in and exploring system features. Discussion of the necessary initial tasks and associated steps.

4 Managing BIG-IP LTM Devices

Now bring your BIG-IP devices running LTM under central management by BIG-IQ. Discover their current configuration and create and deploy new traffic passing objects to them.

DAY 2

5 Setting Up the BIG-IQ DCD System

The BIG-IQ needs a DCD to manage BIG-IP statistics and log data, here is how we set it up and link it to the BIG-IQ system.

6 Custom Roles and Groups

We already looked at how user accounts are set up on BIG-IQ, let’s look deeper and see how to create very granular accounts which limit user access.

7 Managing BIG-IP DSC

BIG-IP allows multiple devices to be configured into clusters. How does BIG-IQ remotely manage these clusters?

8 Administering BIG-IQ High Availability

Configure two existing BIG-IQ systems into an active-standby pair. Create and synchronize configuration objects, fail the pair over, de-configure the pair and return them to standalone systems

Modules covered per day can be class dependent.

Course Outline

• BIG-IQ Overview 

o BIG-IQ Centralized Management

o BIG-IQ Approach

o BIG-IQ Core Functionality

o REST API

o BIG-IQ Data Collection Device (DCD)

o BIG-IP Cloud Edition (CE)

o Setting Up the BIG-IQ System

• Administering the BIG-IQ System 

o Controlling Access to the BIG-IQ

o Creating, Authenticating, Configuring Users and their Roles

o System Backups

o Configuring DNS, NTP, and SMTP

o Monitoring the BIG-IQ, DCD, and BIG-IP events and alerts

o Monitoring BIG-IQ with iHealth

o Post Installation Issues; Licensing, Changing Management IP, Master Key, Restoring Backups

o Managing BIG-IP LTM Devices 

 BIG-IP LTM Device Discovery

 BIG-IP Device Backup

 Deploying to BIG-IP Devices, Various Methods and Logs

 BIG-IQ Configuration Snapshots

 Managing BIG-IP Certificates

 Managing BIG-IP Licenses

 Monitoring BIG-IP Devices with iHealth

 Management of QKView Reports from Managed BIG-IP Devices

o Setting Up the BIG-IQ Data Collection Device

o Custom Role Types and Groups 

 Setting up User Accounts with custom roles and privileges

o Managing BIG-IP DSC 

 Discovery and management of BIG-IP Device Clusters (DSC) with BIG-IQ

o Administering BIG-IQ High Availability 

 Configuration and management of BIG-IQ systems in a High Availability pair

BIG-IQ manages BIG-IP devices and its associated products, so you need to be familiar with BIG-IP as well as having knowledge and experience of general network technology. 

For BIG-IP, students should have already completed a BIG-IP based training course such as the Administering BIG-IP instructor-led course or further courses. 

Free web-based training courses are available on the LearnF5 training hub (https://www.f5.com/services/training) that are helpful for any student with limited BIG-IP administration and configuration experience.

• Getting Started with BIG-IP

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

General technology experience should cover:

• OSI model encapsulation

• Routing and switching

• TCP/IP concepts

• IP addressing and subnetting

• Network firewalls

• LAN vs. WAN

• HTTP Protocol

• Security and Authentication

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

Delegates will be provided with official F5 e-kit courseware approximately 1 week prior to the start of the course.