How to: Create a BIG-IP Next Central Manager High Availability¶
Overview¶
This document describes how to set up High Availability (HA) for the BIG-IP Next Central Manager (CM). Currently, the BIG-IP Next Central Manager can only be deployed as a standalone Virtual mMchine (VM) with a single-node Kubernetes cluster. However, with the new HA feature, the BIG-IP Next Central Manager can now deploy a multi-node Kubernetes cluster.
Prerequisites¶
Make sure to install 3 BIG-IP Next Central Manager Virtual Machines (VMs) to achieve the Central Manager High availability.
Instance - sizes for deployment:
Standard - 8 vCPU, 16GB RAM, 350GB Disk per BIG-IP Next Central Manager Virtual Machine (VM)
Large - 16 vCPU, 64GB RAM, 1TB Disk per BIG-IP Next Central Manager Virtual Machine (VM)
Access to MyF5 for downloads
Inputs for your network
Review the appropriate Release Notes
Summary¶
Install the BIG-IP Next Central Manager for the first time using BIG-IP Next Central Manager GUI.
Setup BIG-IP Next Central Manager in Standalone mode using BIG-IP Next Central Manager GUI.
Setup BIG-IP Next Central Manager in High Availability mode using BIG-IP Next Central Manager GUI.
Procedures¶
Install the BIG-IP Next Central Manager for the first time using BIG-IP Next Central Manager GUI¶
Access the Web UI¶
As part of the CM installation workflow, select one of the newly created VM instances to access the UI interface and initiate the CM installation process.
Access the Browser: Open your preferred web browser (e.g., Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge) on your local machine.
Locate the Address Bar: Look for the address bar at the top of the browser window. It is typically where you type in website addresses (URLs).
Type the IP Address: In the address bar, type the IP address “xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx” of your Virtual Machine (VM) Instance. This IP address is your Virtual Machine instance installed using a disk image from the F5 site.x.xxx.xxx.xxx
Press Enter: After typing the IP address, press the “Enter” key on your keyboard or click on the browser “Go” button to navigate to the specified IP address.
Access the Virtual Machine: If the IP address is correct and the Virtual Machine is running, you will be directed to the homepage of the Central Manager.
Verify that CM GUI appears.
Note: If you encounter any errors or are unable to access the Virtual Machine using the provided IP address, double-check the accuracy of the IP address and ensure that the Virtual Machine is properly configured and running. Ensure that your local machine is connected to the same network as the Virtual Machine to access it via its IP address.
Login and Change the BIG-IP Next Central Manager password¶
For both the User Name and Password, type admin, and click Sign In.
Type your current password and specify a new password. The password must meet the criteria displayed on the screen.
Confirm the password you created by typing it in the Confirm New Password field.
Click the Save button.
You can now use this new password to sign in to BIG-IP Next Central Manager.
Note: For every newly installed virtual machine, change the password and repeat the procedure.
Setup BIG-IP Next Central Manager in Standalone mode using BIG-IP Next Central Manager GUI¶
From the BIG-IP Next Central Manager, click the Workspace icon next to the F5 icon, and click System, and then click CM Maintenance and under the CM Maintenance click Setup.
On the right side, a new Set Up Central Manager window will appear. Follow the instructions and click Next to proceed.
Select the Node Server and click Start CM Services.
Note: Please wait for up to 15 minutes for CM Services to start and become operational.
Setup BIG-IP Next Central Manager in High Availability mode using BIG-IP Next Central Manager GUI¶
Follow the below steps to achieve HA with multiple nodes in the BIGIP Next Central Manager. Ensure that a minimum of 3 available nodes are added for the BIG-IP Next Central Manager HA available.
From the BIG-IP Next Central Manager Set Up, click Nodes first, then click +Add button to add 2 more Virtual Machines.
Note: Ensure that the default admin password is changed on each VM instance before adding nodes into the CM cluster.
Enter the Username, Password, and AIP Address of the Virtual Machines (VMs) which you have installed in the Instances.
Click Save.
Repeat the same process to add the another Virtual machine.
To proceed, choose all three nodes and then click Start CM Services.
Note: Please wait for up to 15 minutes for CM Services to start and become operational.