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Craig Stansbury

When someone is trying to access an application that you are delivering, they expect it to always be available. This course will teach you how to leverage the F5 BIG-IP appliance to keep your applications available and secure.

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When someone is trying to access an application that you are delivering, they expect it to always be available. This course will teach you how to leverage the F5 BIG-IP appliance to keep your applications available and secure.

Ensuring applications are always online and secure requires robust tools to ensure they are delivered properly. In this course, F5 BIG-IP Fundamentals, you’ll learn to configure an F5 appliance to ensure your applications are secure and always available. First, you’ll explore how to leverage the load balancing capabilities to keep your applications available regardless of your network infrastructure. Next, you’ll discover how to fine tune the BIG-IP to match the specific application you are delivering. Finally, you’ll learn how to secure these applications from attacks. When you’re finished with this course, you’ll have the skills and knowledge of an F5 BIG-IP appliance needed to deliver applications that are always available and secure.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview
F5 BIG-IP Overview and Configure Virtual Server Components
Analyze Different LTM Deployments
Understand the Different Load Balancing Methods
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Taught by Craig Stansbury, an established industry expert in networking and security
Delves into the field of load balancing, offering hands-on guidance on how to keep applications running smoothly
Covers essential security measures like virtual server protection and application security modules
Provides a solid understanding of administrative tasks and high availability considerations, ensuring reliable application delivery

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Reviews summary

F5 big-ip fundamentals for application delivery

According to learners, this course offers an excellent introduction to F5 BIG-IP, particularly beneficial for network professionals new to the platform. Students frequently praise the instructor's clear explanations of complex topics like Virtual Servers, Pools, and iRules. The practical, hands-on labs are consistently highlighted as invaluable for cementing knowledge and are considered a major strength. While the course provides a solid foundational understanding of LTM features and High Availability, some learners advise that a strong networking background is beneficial, as the pacing can be fast for true novices. A few reviews suggest more in-depth coverage for advanced topics like the Application Security Module could further enhance the content.
Labs are crucial for practical application and knowledge reinforcement.
"The labs are practical and essential for hands-on learning."
"The exercises are well-designed and crucial for cementing knowledge."
"The hands-on labs are the highlight – they solidify the theoretical knowledge perfectly."
The instructor excels at explaining complex F5 concepts with clarity.
"The instructor explains complex concepts like Virtual Servers and Pools very clearly."
"Absolutely brilliant! The instructor is top-notch, clearly an expert, and explains things patiently."
"The instructor is incredibly clear and makes complex F5 concepts approachable."
Some wish for more in-depth coverage on specific advanced modules.
"I wish there were more advanced topics or deeper dives into specific troubleshooting scenarios."
"The ASM section felt a bit rushed, but overall, solid for fundamentals."
"My only critique is that some explanations could be more detailed for certain advanced topics."
Provides a strong foundation, though some find the pace challenging.
"I struggled with this course... lectures sometimes jump into complex topics without enough foundational buildup."
"I felt it moved too quickly through some core concepts, especially if you don't have a strong background..."
"I think it assumes more prior knowledge than 'fundamentals' implies. Labs were okay, but I struggled to follow without more explicit instructions."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in F5 BIG-IP Fundamentals with these activities:
Attend Industry Webinars
Engage with experts and industry professionals to gain insights and best practices related to F5 BIG-IP.
Show steps
  • Identify relevant industry webinars.
  • Attend the webinars and actively participate in Q&A sessions.
Learn about F5 BIG-IP Modules
Gain a deeper understanding of how F5 BIG-IP modules like profiles, iRules, and iApps can enhance the functionality of the appliance.
Browse courses on Profiles
Show steps
  • Review the documentation on F5 BIG-IP modules.
  • Follow guided tutorials on how to use each module effectively.
Configure Load Balancing
Improve understanding of different load balancing methods and how to configure them on an F5 BIG-IP appliance.
Browse courses on Load Balancing
Show steps
  • Identify the load balancing method to use.
  • Configure the virtual server and pool.
  • Test the load balancing configuration.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Configure Security
Enhance understanding of how to configure security features on an F5 BIG-IP appliance to protect applications from attacks.
Browse courses on Application Security
Show steps
  • Identify the security requirements.
  • Configure the application security module.
  • Test the security configuration.
Attend Hands-on Workshops
Gain hands-on experience with F5 BIG-IP in a structured environment, led by experienced instructors.
Show steps
  • Identify relevant hands-on workshops.
  • Register and attend the workshops.
  • Actively participate in the exercises and demos.
Design a Deployment Plan
Apply knowledge of F5 BIG-IP capabilities to create a plan for deploying an application in a secure and highly available manner.
Browse courses on Network Infrastructure
Show steps
  • Define the application requirements.
  • Choose the appropriate F5 BIG-IP appliance.
  • Create a deployment plan that includes load balancing, security, and availability considerations.
Simulate Application Failures
Test and improve understanding of how to configure F5 BIG-IP for high availability and how to troubleshoot common administrative tasks.
Browse courses on High Availability
Show steps
  • Configure a high availability setup.
  • Simulate application failures and observe the behavior of the F5 BIG-IP appliance.
  • Troubleshoot any issues that arise and implement solutions.
Participate in F5 Hackathons
Challenge oneself to apply F5 BIG-IP knowledge in a competitive environment and gain practical experience.
Show steps
  • Identify relevant F5 hackathons.
  • Form a team or participate individually.
  • Develop and submit a solution that leverages F5 BIG-IP.

Career center

Learners who complete F5 BIG-IP Fundamentals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Network Security Engineer
Network Security Engineers design and implement security systems for computer networks. They use their skills in network security to protect networks from cyberattacks.
Security Engineer
Security Engineers design and implement security systems for businesses. They use their skills in security engineering to protect businesses from cyberattacks.
IT Security Analyst
IT Security Analysts are responsible for protecting an organization’s IT systems and data from cyberattacks. They work to identify and mitigate security risks, and they develop and implement security policies.
IT Project Manager
IT Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing IT projects. They work with stakeholders to define project requirements, develop project plans, and track project progress.
Solutions Architect
Solutions Architects design and implement IT solutions for businesses. They work with clients to understand their business needs and then develop and implement IT solutions that meet those needs.
Information Technology (IT) Manager
IT Managers are in charge of the day-to-day operations of an organization’s IT department. They are also responsible for planning and implementing IT strategies for the organization.
Network Administrator
A Network Administrator is responsible for maintaining and troubleshooting computer networks. They make sure that a network’s hardware, software, and applications run efficiently.
Database Administrator
Database Administrators manage and maintain databases. They use their skills in database administration to ensure that databases are running efficiently and that data is secure.
Systems Analyst
Systems Analysts design and implement computer systems for businesses. They work with stakeholders to understand business needs and then develop and implement systems that meet those needs.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts work with businesses to analyze their operations and identify areas for improvement. They use their skills in business analysis to develop solutions to business problems, and they work with stakeholders to implement those solutions.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts collect, process, and analyze data to help businesses make informed decisions. They use their skills in statistics and data analysis to identify trends and patterns in data, and they develop reports and visualizations to communicate their findings.
Network Engineer
Network Engineers set up computer networks for their companies and upkeep the equipment that runs those networks. With F5 BIG-IP Fundamentals, you can get the skills that can build your way up to Network Engineer.
Web Developer
Web Developers design and develop websites. They use their skills in web development to create websites that are user-friendly and meet the needs of users.
Computer Programmer
Computer Programmers write and maintain computer code. They use their skills in computer programming to develop software that meets the needs of users.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They use their skills in software engineering to develop software that meets the needs of users.

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
Focuses on load balancing for web servers, and it provides a comprehensive overview of the different techniques that can be used to achieve load balancing in this context. It good resource for anyone who wants to learn more about load balancing for web servers.
Provides a solid foundation in the core concepts of load balancing, covering server, firewall, and cache load balancing. It delves into the underlying logic and network architectures, making it suitable for gaining a broad understanding of the topic. While not the most recent publication, its clear explanations of fundamental principles make it a valuable introductory resource.
Offers a practical approach to load balancing, focusing on increasing performance across your infrastructure. It covers key concepts, tools, and how to account for persistence and state. It's a good resource for understanding the practical implications of load balancing in real-world scenarios.
Another foundational text in computer networking, this book offers a comprehensive look at network principles from the physical layer to applications. Understanding the concepts presented here will greatly aid in grasping the context and importance of load balancing within distributed systems. This widely recognized textbook in computer science programs.
Must-read for anyone interested in building scalable and reliable systems. It covers various aspects of data systems, including reliability, scalability, and maintainability, with relevant discussions on topics like replication and partitioning, which are closely related to load balancing in distributed databases and systems. It provides a deeper understanding of the challenges load balancing helps address.
Is highly relevant for understanding how load balancing fits into overall system design, particularly in the context of technical interviews at major tech companies. It provides frameworks and case studies that illustrate the role of load balancing in building scalable and reliable systems. While geared towards interviews, it offers practical insights into real-world system architecture.
Understanding software architecture is crucial for designing systems that effectively utilize load balancing. covers essential concepts, architectural styles, and design patterns that are relevant to building scalable and resilient applications. It provides the architectural context in which load balancing solutions are applied.
This e-book focuses specifically on load balancing in cloud environments, which is highly relevant given the course topics. It discusses the options and considerations for implementing load balancing in a dynamic cloud infrastructure, including the use of software load balancers like NGINX. It's a practical guide for those working with cloud platforms.
For those interested in practical implementation, this cookbook provides recipes for using NGINX as a load balancer. It covers various use cases, configurations, and advanced features for achieving high-performance load balancing. is particularly useful for gaining hands-on knowledge with a popular load balancing technology.
Specifically addresses load balancing within the Microsoft Azure cloud platform, often in conjunction with NGINX. It offers practical solutions and design considerations for implementing load balancing for applications hosted on Azure. It is highly relevant for those focusing on Azure-specific load balancing services.
This comprehensive guide to Microsoft Azure networking includes detailed coverage of Azure Load Balancer and other related networking services. It provides best practices for designing, deploying, and managing networking workloads in Azure, offering valuable context for implementing load balancing within this cloud environment.
This chapter, likely part of a larger AWS guide, provides an introduction to Elastic Load Balancing (ELB) and Autoscaling in AWS. It highlights the benefits and basic uses of these services, offering an overview of AWS-specific load balancing concepts. It's a good starting point for understanding load balancing within the AWS ecosystem.
While focused on MySQL, this book includes a chapter on load balancing and high availability in the context of database deployments. It discusses load balancing from network and application perspectives and its benefits for MySQL. It offers insights into load balancing for a specific, critical application type.
This is official AWS documentation presented as a book, focusing on Classic Load Balancers. It describes how to create and manage this specific type of AWS load balancer. It's a valuable reference for those working directly with AWS ELB, although Classic Load Balancers are an older generation.
This handbook provides a comprehensive guide to building secure and scalable networking environments in Microsoft Azure, including detailed explanations of Azure load balancer services. It covers various aspects of Azure networking relevant to implementing load balancing for virtual machines and applications.
Focuses on a specific, practical aspect of managing load balancers in AWS: analyzing logs. It provides queries and strategies for gaining insights into load balancer activity, which is essential for monitoring performance, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring security and compliance.
This chapter, likely from a book on Google Site Reliability Engineering (SRE), discusses high-level load balancing strategies used at Google to distribute traffic between datacenters. It offers insights into large-scale, global load balancing challenges and approaches.
Provides a broad introduction to distributed systems, covering fundamental concepts and design principles. Load balancing key technique in distributed systems for managing resources and ensuring availability, making this book relevant for understanding the broader context in which load balancing is applied.
While focused on reliable and secure distributed programming, this book delves into fundamental algorithms and concepts in distributed computing that underpin load balancing techniques. It's a theoretical resource that provides a deeper understanding of the principles behind building resilient distributed systems.

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