Lab 1: Software Image Management - Uploading and Validating

Overview

In this lab, you will walk through managing software images within F5 Insight. Centralized software image management allows administrators to store, validate, and organize TMOS installation files before distributing them to BIG-IP devices across the fleet.

Objectives

  • Access the Software Image Management repository in F5 Insight.
  • Upload a base TMOS software image (.iso) alongside its required validation files (.pem and .sig).
  • Monitor background upload progress and verify image integrity.
  • Understand scale limits and bulk image management practices.

Prerequisites

  • Local access to downloaded TMOS software files: * BIGIP-17.1.1-0.0.6.iso * BIGIP-17.1.1-0.0.6.iso.pem * BIGIP-17.1.1-0.0.6.iso.sig

Task 1: Accessing the Software Image Store

  1. Open a web browser and log into the F5 Insight management console.
  2. In the left-hand navigation menu, expand Manage.
  3. Select Software.
  4. Select Images.

Note

The Software Images table displays all previously uploaded TMOS software packages, file sizes, upload timestamps, and signature validation statuses.

Task 2: Uploading TMOS Software Images and Validation Files

To ensure software images are authentic and uncorrupted, F5 Insight validates each .iso image against its accompanying public certificate (.pem) and cryptographic signature (.sig).

  1. On the upper-right corner of the Software Images page, click Upload. The upload drawer will expand from the right.
  2. Click Upload File to open your local system’s file picker.
  3. Select all three required files simultaneously: * BIGIP-17.1.1-0.0.6.iso * BIGIP-17.1.1-0.0.6.iso.pem * BIGIP-17.1.1-0.0.6.iso.sig
  4. Click Open (or Confirm) to initiate the upload process.

Important

Both validation files (.pem certificate and .sig signature) must be uploaded alongside the .iso image. F5 Insight uses these files to verify image authenticity according to F5 security guidelines (K24341140).

Task 3: Monitoring Background Uploads

F5 Insight supports background file transfers, enabling administrators to navigate to other UI sections without interrupting active uploads.

  1. Once the upload starts, observe the per-file upload progress bars in the upload drawer.

  2. Close the upload drawer by clicking outside or selecting the X icon.

  3. Notice the blue notification banner appearing at the top of the screen:

    Upload in progress: 1 or more file uploads are currently active. Click here to view details.

  4. Click the banner at any time to return to the upload drawer and review progress.

  5. Once complete, verify that BIGIP-17.1.1-0.0.6.iso appears in the Software Images list with a status of Ready.

Task 4: Managing Stored Software Files

  1. To view scale limits, note the following capacity thresholds for F5 Insight: * Maximum 10 GB total file size per upload operation. * Maximum 10 files per single upload session. * Total storage quota of 50 GB across all uploaded software packages in F5 Insight.
  2. To remove outdated or unneeded images: * Select the checkbox next to the software file you wish to delete. * Click Delete on the right side of the action bar. * Confirm the deletion when prompted in the modal dialog.

Note

Deleting a software image from F5 Insight removes it from the central F5 Insight store. It does not delete files already distributed to or installed on managed BIG-IP instances.

Verification Checkpoint

  • Verify BIGIP-17.1.1-0.0.6.iso is listed under Manage > Software > Images.
  • Confirm that the image status shows as Validated / Ready.

Go to Ticket 02 - Analyze Traffic Patterns for an Application

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