Learn how to deploy and operate BIG-IQ to centrally manage BIG-IP devices. Using a mix of lectures and hands-on lab exercises, gain real-time experience in first setting up and administering the BIG-IQ and BIG-IQ Data Collection Device (DCD) systems, examining the BIG-IQ approach to managing BIG-IP devices, then using it to discover and take remote management control of these devices and their associated BIG-IP LTM product modules. Along the way, learn about software deployment, backup and restore, DNS, NTP, and SMTP configurations, editing and deployment of LTM network traffic passing objects, and central monitoring and reporting. Lastly, delve into other system configurations, like building a BIG-IQ High Availability (HA) pair and managing multiple BIG-IP devices configured in a cluster.

• 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.

BIG-IQ Overview

• BIG-IQ Centralized Management
• BIG-IQ Approach
• BIG-IQ Core Functionality
• REST API
• BIG-IQ Data Collection Device (DCD)
• BIG-IP Cloud Edition (CE)
• Setting Up the BIG-IQ System

Administering the BIG-IQ System

• Controlling Access to the BIG-IQ
• Creating, Authenticating, Configuring Users and their Roles
• System Backups
• Configuring DNS, NTP, and SMTP
• Monitoring the BIG-IQ, DCD, and BIG-IP events and alerts
• Monitoring BIG-IQ with iHealth
• Post Installation Issues; Licensing, Changing Management IP, Master Key, Restoring Backups
• 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
• Setting Up the BIG-IQ Data Collection Device
• Custom Role Types and Groups
• Setting up User Accounts with custom roles and privileges
• Managing BIG-IP DSC
• Discovery and management of BIG-IP Device Clusters (DSC) with BIG-IQ
• Administering BIG-IQ High Availability
• Configuration and management of BIG-IQ systems in a High Availability pair

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.

Students must complete one of the following F5 prerequisites before attending this course:

• Administering BIG-IP (ILT)
• F5 Certified BIG-IP Administrator

Suggested Prework

The following free Self-Directed Training (SDT) courses, although optional, are helpful for any student with limited BIG-IP administration and configuration experience:

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

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
• TCP/IP concepts
• IP addressing and subnetting
• Network firewalls
• LAN vs. WAN
• HTTP Protocol
• Security and Authentication