Course 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.
Topics covered in this course include:
- Configuration Project
- Troubleshooting Methodology
- F5 Support
- BIG-IP Product Architecture
- Troubleshooting - Bottom to Top
- Troubleshooting Tools
- Using System Logs
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.
Who should attend
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 (TRG-BIG-OP-ADMIN) instructor-led course
- F5 Certified BIG-IP Administrator
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
Course Content
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
- Architecture Overview
- AOM
- Switch Fabric
- Host Subsystem
Chapter 6: Troubleshooting – Bottom to Top
- Host Architecture
- Layer 1/Layer 2 Tools
- Layer 2/Layer 3 Tools
- Layer 3 Tools
- Linux Tools
- Memory and CPU
- watch
- Additional tmsh commands
- End-User Diagnostics (EUD)
Chapter 7: Troubleshooting Tools
- tcpdump
- Wireshark
- Fiddler
- diff
- KDiff3
- ssldump
- cURL
Chapter 8: Using System Logs
- System Log Configuration
- Log Files
- BIG-IP Daemons
- Triggering an iRule
- Deploying and Testing iRules
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
- iApps Template Information
- Lab Expected Results
- iApps Template
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