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.
Pre-requisite(s): Administering BIG-IP, OSI model, TCP/IP addressing and routing, WAN, LAN environments, and server redundancy concepts; or having achieved TMOS Administration Certification
Audience: 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.
Outline:
Lesson 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
Lesson 2 : Reviewing Local Traffic Configuration
- Reviewing Nodes, Pools, and Virtual Servers
- Reviewing Address Translation
- Reviewing Routing Assumptions
- Reviewing Application Health Monitoring
- eviewing Traffic Behavior Modification with Profiles
- Reviewing the TMOS Shell (TMSH)
- Reviewing Managing BIG-IP Configuration Data
Lesson 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
Lesson 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
Lesson 5 : Product Architecture
- Introducing BIG-IP Architecture
- Introducing and Accessing AOM
- Introducing Switch Fabric Function
- Introducing Host Subsystem Function
Lesson 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)
Lesson 7 : Troubleshooting Tools
- tcpdump
- Wireshark
- ssldump
- Fiddler
- diff
- KDiff3
- cURL
Lesson 8 : Using System Logs
- Configuring Logging
- Log Files
- Understanding BIG-IP Daemons Functions
- Triggering an iRule
- Deploying and Testing iRules
- Application Visibility and Reporting
Lesson 9 : Troubleshooting Lab Projects
- Network Configurations for Projects
Lesson 10 : Additional Training and Certification
- Getting Started Series Web-Based Training
- F5 Instructor Led Training Curriculum
- F5 Professional Certification Program