Getting Started with BIG-IP Next

BIG-IP Next uses a combination of BIG-IP Next Central Manager, together with BIG-IP Next instances, to implement application delivery and security. The BIG-IP Next Central Manager manages the BIG-IP Next instances, assuming responsibility for all administrative and management tasks.

The BIG-IP Next instances, responsible for data processing, provide automation capabilities, scalability, and ease-of-use for organizations running applications on-premise, in the cloud, or out at the edge.

 

Getting Started with Installation

Note: You can use the F5 Postman collection, which includes a variety of workflows, including onboarding BIG-IP Next Instances, Application lifecycle, troubleshooting, and more.

Begin by installing BIG-IP Next Central Manager on VMware or KVM. Once installed, follow the applicable workflows to either create BIG-IP Next Instances using BIG-IP Next Central Manager or create the BIG-IP Next Instances locally before onboarding them to BIG-IP Next Central Manager.

Install the BIG-IP Next Central Manager

You can install the BIG-IP Next Central Manager on VMware or KVM.

• How to Install the BIG-IP Next Central Manager on VMware

• How to Install the BIG-IP Next Central Manager on KVM

Create BIG-IP Next instances using BIG-IP Next Central Manager

Use this workflow if your BIG-IP Next instance management address is a static IP and your BIG-IP Next instances are installed on vSphere and F5 Hardware Platforms (rSeries, Velos).

Note: BIG-IP Next instances created using BIG-IP Next Central Manager are automatically managed by BIG-IP Next Central Manager. Therefore, there is no separate process to onboard them.

1. You can use BIG-IP Next Central Manager to create BIG-IP Next instances on VMware vSphere, rSeries, and Velos.

   • See How to: Create a BIG-IP Next instance in a VMware vSphere environment from Central Manager

   • See How to: Create a BIG-IP Next instance on VELOS system from Central Manager

   • See How to: Create a BIG-IP Next instance on rSeries system from Central Manager

Create BIG-IP Next instances locally and onboard them to BIG-IP Next Central Manager

Use this workflow if your BIG-IP Next instance management address is defined by DHCP or your BIG-IP Next instances are created on KVM, Public cloud platforms, or vSphere (if you do not have full access to the vCenter).

1. Create the BIG-IP Next Instance locally

   • You can create the BIG-IP Next instance locally on VMware or KVM.

2. Add the BIG-IP Next Instance to Central Manager (CM)

   • Add the BIG-IP Next instance to BIG-IP Next Cental Manager for centralized management.

3. Complete Onboarding Using BIG-IP Next Central Manager

You can follow the links to create the BIG-IP Next instance locally.

• See How to Create BIG-IP Next Instance Locally on VMware

• See How to Create a BIG-IP Next instance locally on KVM

BIG-IP Next Compatibility Matrix and Memory requirements

Refer the Compatibility Matrix for BIG-IP Next and BIG-IP Next Central Manager. See BIG-IP Next Compatibility Matrix and Memory requirements.