Lab 2.1 - How to: Add a BIG-IP Next instance to BIG-IP Next Central Manager

This document describes how to add a BIG-IP Next instance to BIG-IP Next Central Manager for centralized management and what happens to local BIG-IP Next instance users when you do that.

Overview

When you add a BIG-IP Next instance to BIG-IP:were Next Central Manager, all users currently configured on that local BIG-IP Next instance are automatically disabled so management of the instance is done exclusively from BIG-IP Next Central Manager.

Prerequisites

Before you add an instance to BIG-IP Next Central Manager, please confirm BIG-IP Next instance 1 is running in the UDF deployment.

• IP Address

  BIG-IP Next Instance 1:

  10.1.1.7
  

• Credentials

  Username:

  admin
  

  Password:

  Welcome123!
  

Procedure

1. Log in to BIG-IP Next Central Manager as admin. You’ll arrive at the Central Manager “Home” page and then navigate to the workspace switcher at the top left next to the F5 logo and click Infrastructure.

   

2. At the top of the screen, click + Add.

   

3. Type the IP address for BIG-IP Next instance 1 and click Connect. Ignore the option for creating a new instance. You must use port 5443.

   IP Address:

   10.1.1.7
   

   

4. For the Management Credentials, in the Username and Password fields, enter the username and password that were used to login to the BIG-IP Next Central Manager and click Next.

   Username:

   admin
   

   Password:

   Welcome123!
   

   

5. Once you have authenticated to the instance, you’ll see a dialog prompting you to supply new Management Credentials. We suggest accepting the pre-populated username (admin-cm) and re-using the same password that has been used so far in the lab. Enter the password twice (in the Password and Confirm Password fields). You’ll use this username and password to manage the BIG-IP Next instance and click Add Instance.

   Username:

   admin-cm
   

   Password:

   Welcome123!
   

   

6. You’ll be asked to confirm Central Management of the instance. BIG-IP Next Central Manager removes all locally-configured users from the BIG-IP Next instance you are adding. If, for any reason, disablement of users on the local BIG-IP Next instance fails, adding the BIG-IP Next instance to BIG-IP Next Central Manager is halted and all users are re-enabled on the local BIG-IP Next instance. You should click Add at this confirmation dialog.

   

7. You’ll then be presented with the fingerprint of the cert for the instance and to confirm this.

   

8. After completing this procedure, you’ll now see a new instances in the My Instances list.

   

Result

You can now manage this BIG-IP Next instance from BIG-IP Next Central Manager.