How to: Integrate Distributed Cloud with BIG-IP Next Central Manager (EA)¶
Note: This is a early access release for this feature, for evaluation purposes only.
The integration of BIG-IP Next Central Manager with F5 Distributed Cloud (XC) improves feature diversity, allowing access to capabilities from both platforms. This single integration simplifies the experience, making it easier to navigate and adopt new interfaces. Additionally, RBAC roles from Central Manager (CM) can be viewed and associated with F5 Distributed Cloud users within the F5 Distributed Cloud tenant.
Prerequisites¶
Ensure you have access to both BIG-IP Next Central Manager and F5 Distributed Cloud.
Ensure the BIG-IP Next Central Manager site has been created on the F5 Distributed Cloud Tenant.
Ensure the Site Token is generated on the F5 Distributed Cloud Tenant.
Procedure¶
To integrate the BIG-IP Next Central Manager with Distributed Cloud, use the following steps:
Log in to BIG-IP Next Central Manager as admin.
Click the Workspace icon next to the F5 icon, click Infrastructure, and then click Integrations. The New Integrations screen opens.
Click Add Integrations. A drawer will appear, displaying a restart warning along with instructions for the required procedures to be completed in F5 Distributed Cloud. Follow these instructions before continuing.
Click Next. A new Add Integration window opens.
In the F5 Distributed Cloud section, enter the following details:
BIG-IP Next Central Manager Site Name: Enter the site name that was created on the F5 Distributed Cloud during Site Token generation.
Important: The Site Name should match the name created in F5 Distributed Cloud.
Site Token: Paste the Site Token generated on the F5 Distributed Cloud for the BIG-IP Next Central Manager Site. If you do not have a Site Token, generate one from the Multi-Cloud Network service in the F5 Distributed Cloud Console. The site token is valid for 24 hours.
In the BIG-IP Next Central Manager section, enter the following details:
Longitude: Enter the geographic coordinates of the location where the Central Manager is deployed. Example:
19.0760
.Latitude: Enter the geographic coordinates of the location where the Central Manager is deployed. Example:
72.8777
.
Click Save & Restart.
A confirmation pop-up appears to Restart BIG-IP Next Central Manager. Click Yes, Restart.
You will be logged out of BIG-IP Next Central Manager. Log in again with your credentials.
After logging in, navigate to the Integrations page. You will see the new integration with one of the following statuses:
Pending Approval: The registration process is complete on the Central Manager side but is pending approval from the F5 Distributed Cloud. If no action is taken on the F5 Distributed Cloud side, the status will automatically change to “Failed.”
Failed: Registration issues were encountered, and the process needs to be repeated.
Note: For a Failed status, you can cancel the registration during this stage by clicking Unregister from XC, which reverts all changes made to BIG-IP Next Central Manager.
Successful: The integration is successful. You cannot delete or unregister from BIG-IP Next Central Manager, but the registration can be cancelled or deleted from F5 Distributed Cloud.
Note: These operations will require a restart of the Central Manager.
Result¶
The BIG-IP Next Central Manager is integrated with F5 Distributed Cloud.