Lab 1.5: Build a BIG-IP Cluster using a Collection

Source: https://youtu.be/je1fCb1qBZE

In this lab, we will build an active-standby cluster between BIG-IP A and BIG-IP B using the REST API. This lab will use the Postman Runner functionality to introduce Imperative Automation. We will run the requests in a Collection Folder to build the cluster. If you examine the Lab 1.5 - Build a Cluster folder in the Collection you can see how complex Imperative processes can become. Clustering is one of the transition points for most customers to move into the Declarative model (if not already done) due to the need to abstract device/vendor level specifics from automation consumers.

The high-level procedure required to create the cluster is:

1. Obtain Authentication Tokens for BIG-IP A & B
2. Check that both devices are licensed and ready to configure
3. Configure Device Level settings on both devices
4. Configure Networking on BIG-IP B (remember this was already done in Lab 1.4 for BIG-IP A)
5. Set BIG-IP A & BIG-IP B CMI Parameters (Config Sync IP, Failover IPs, Mirroring IP)
6. Add BIG-IP B as a trusted peer on BIG-IP A
7. Check the status of the Sync Groups
8. Create a sync-failover Device Group
9. Check the status of the created Device Group
10. Perform initial sync of the Device Group
11. Check status (again)
12. Change the Traffic Group to use HA Order failover
13. Create Floating Self IPs
14. Failover the Traffic Group to make BIG-IP A the Active device

Task 1 - Build a Cluster using Runner

In this task we will use the Runner to execute a series of requests contained in the Lab 1.5 - Build a Cluster folder. As mentioned previously this folder contains a large number of REST requests required to build an Active/Standby cluster. Additionally, we will make use of a JavaScript framework called f5-postman-workflows that extends the Postman client to include common test and polling functions.

Perform the following steps to build the cluster:

1. Click the Runner button at the top left of your Postman window:

   

2. Select the F5 Programmability: Class 1 Collection then the Lab 1.5 - Build a Cluster folder. Next, be sure the environment is set to F5 Programmability: Class 1 and Keep variable values is selected:

   Your Runner window should look like:

   

3. Click the Run F5 Programm.. button

4. The results window will now populate. You will see each request in the folder is sent and its associated test results are displayed on the screen. Building the cluster can take a few minutes. You can follow the progress by scrolling down the results window.

5. Once the Run Summary button appears, the folder has completed running. You should have 0 failures and the last item in the request list should be named Cleanup Environment

   

Note

If you are have an issue with your authentication token issue please return to Lab 1.3, Step 8 in Postman to set your admin password to admin.

Task 2 - Verify the Built Cluster in BIG-IP GUI

1. At this point you can log into BIG-IP A using Chrome at https://10.1.1.7. Verify that the cluster was built by navigating to Device Management > Overview using the menu in the BIG-IP TMUI GUI. Verify that the cluster and failover status indicators are all green.