Overview
This course gives networking professionals hands-on knowledge of how to troubleshoot a BIG-IP system using a number of troubleshooting techniques as well as troubleshooting and system tools. This course includes lectures, labs, and discussions.
This course assumes that you have successfully completed the Administering BIG-IP course, or equivalent, and have hands-on experience working in a production BIG-IP environment for several months. You should have a solid understanding of the environment in which the BIG-IP is deployed. This course is meant for BIG-IP administrators, network engineers, applications engineers, etc., who will be responsible for troubleshooting problems associated with their BIG-IP system.
Prerequisites
Students must complete one of the following F5 prerequisites before attending this course:
- Administering BIG-IP instructor-led course
- F5 Certified BIG-IP Administrator
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
F5 US has brought out a BIG-IP Admin exam which can be taken before attending the LTM course. Indeed, this test should be taken by anyone wanting to attend any of the F5 specialist classes (DNS, APM, ASM, AFM etc.) if they have not attended the BIG-IP Admin or LTM class.
Although this is not mandatory, F5 would like to stress the importance of anyone attending F5 specialist classes if they have not attended an Admin class or passed the test below with 70% or greater. Obviously, a 201 BIG-IP Administrator exam certification is an instant prerequisite.
Step 1: get an account on F5 University (https://university.f5.com)
Step 2: goto: https://wbt.training.f5.com/wbt/go?id=2110
Take the test. Pass mark is 70%.
Step 3: take a screen shot as proof of your results.
Please note that if this prerequisite is not met, Arrow ECS reserves the right to refuse entry to the class without refund.
The following free web-based 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 BIG-IP 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:
- HTTP, HTTPS, FTP and SSH protocols
Delegates will learn how to
- Configuration Project
- Troubleshooting Methodology
- F5 Support
- BIG-IP Product Architecture
- Troubleshooting - Bottom to Top
- Troubleshooting Tools
- Using tcpdump, ssldump, and Wireshark
- Using System Logs
- Troubleshooting HTTP with AVR
Throughout this course you will have access to a BIG-IP that uses a typical Internal-External VLAN architecture with a pool of servers (HTTP, HTTPS, SSH, FTP, etc) along with web application servers. In the lab for this module, you will license the BIG-IP, set up the Internal and External VLANs, and create the Pools and Virtual Servers that you will use as part of your troubleshooting exercises.
In addition to the topics above, lab exercises will provide a chance to practice troubleshooting problems using the BIG-IP information, troubleshooting methodology, and tools that you have learned.
Outline
Chapter 1: Setting Up the BIG-IP System
- Introducing the BIG-IP System
- Initially Setting Up the BIG-IP System
- Archiving the BIG-IP Configurations
- Leveraging F5 Support Resources and Tools
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
Chapter 3: Troubleshooting Methodology
- Troubleshooting Methodology
- Troubleshooting Methodology Steps
- Step 1: Define the Problem
- Step 2: Gather Information
- Step 3: Define Hypotheses
- Step 4: Develop a Test Plan
- Steps 5 and 6: Implement the Plan and Observe the Results
- Step 7: Repeat as Necessary
- Documenting a Problem
- Putting the Troubleshooting Steps to Use
Chapter 4: Working with F5 Support
- Leveraging AskF5
- Finding Resources on DevCentral
- Using the BIG-IP iHealth System
- Working with F5 Technical Support
- Running End User Diagnostics (EUD)
- Requesting Return Materials Authorization
- Understanding F5’s Software Version Policy
- Managing Upgrades and Hotfixes
- Managing the BIG-IP License for Upgrades
- Managing BIG-IP Disk Space
- Upgrading BIG-IP Software
Chapter 5: Product Architecture
- Introducing BIG-IP Architecture
- Introducing and Accessing AOM
- Introducing Switch Fabric Function
- Introducting Host Subsystem Function
Chapter 6: 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 with LINUX Tools
- Troubleshooting Memory and CPU
- Troubleshooting with watch
- Troubleshooting with Additional tmsh commands
- Troubleshooting with End-User Diagnostics (EUD)
Chapter 7: Troubleshooting Tools
- tcpdump
- Wireshark
- ssldump
- Fiddler
- diff
- KDiff3
- cURL
Chapter 8: Using System Logs
- Configuring Logging
- Log Files
- Understanding BIG-IP Daemons Functions
- Triggering an iRule
- Deploying and Testing iRules
- Application Visibility and Reporting
Chapter 9: Troubleshooting Lab Projects
- Network Configurations for Projects
Chapter 10: Additional Training and Certification
- Getting Started Series Web-Based Training
- F5 Instructor Led Training Curriculum
- F5 Professional Certification Program
Appendix A: Support Requirements
- L1 and L2 Partner Support Requirements
Appendix B: iApps Template Usage
- Overview
- Lab Expected Results
- iApps Template
Appendix C: Initial Configuration Steps
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