5. Setup F5 Big-IP LAB || Configuring VM Network Adapters || F5 Big-IP LTM

Summary

This tutorial guides viewers on setting up a lab in VMware Workstation for F5's big-ip appliance. It covers downloading the image file, importing it into VMware, accessing via CLI, and configuring VMware Networking with vmnet1, vmnet2, and vmnet3. The video also instructs on connecting network adapters for the big-ip appliance and other virtual machines according to a predefined lab topology. Attention to detail in network configuration is emphasized to avoid issues in the lab setup.

Takeaways

• 📂 Downloaded F5 Big-IP image from F5 website and imported into VMware Workstation.
• 🔐 Accessed the appliance through CLI using default credentials.
• ⏰ Licenses were sent to the registered email and received within 30 minutes.
• 💻 Demonstrated VMware Networking configuration for those with limited exposure.
• 🌐 Added three VMware networks: vmnet1, vmnet2, and vmnet3 with specific subnets.
• 🔄 Defined network addresses for lab topology: 192.168.0.0/24, 172.16.1.0/24, and 10.1.1.0/24.
• 🚫 Turned off DHCP services for the created networks.
• 🖥️ Connected client machine to vmnet2 and web servers to vmnet3.
• 🔌 Configured Big-IP network adapters to connect to respective VM networks.
• 📝 Emphasized the importance of careful configuration to avoid lab issues.
• 🔄 Next tutorial will cover setting up the management IP address and activating licenses.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the tutorial?

The purpose of the tutorial is to guide viewers on setting up a lab environment using VMware Workstation with F5 BIG-IP, including downloading the image file, importing it, accessing the appliance, and configuring networking.

Where can the F5 BIG-IP image file be downloaded from?

The F5 BIG-IP image file can be downloaded from the F5 website.

What is the importance of the license mentioned in the tutorial?

The license is crucial as it allows the activation and use of the F5 BIG-IP appliance. It is sent to the registered email address and is to be activated as part of the setup process.

What is the first step in preparing the lab environment?

The first step is to add VMware networks in VMware Workstation, specifically vmnet1, vmnet2, and vmnet3.

What are the network addresses defined for vmnet1 in the lab topology?

The network address for vmnet1 is defined as 192.168.0.0 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0.

How is the DHCP service handled for each network in the lab?

For each network (vmnet1, vmnet2, vmnet3), the DHCP service is unchecked to disable it as per the lab setup instructions.

What is the role of vmnet2 in the lab topology?

Vmnet2 has a network address of 172.16.1.0 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 and is used to connect the client machine as per the lab topology.

Which network does vmnet3 correspond to in the lab setup?

Vmnet3 corresponds to the network with an address of 10.1.1.0 and a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, which is used to connect the web servers.

How are the network adapters of the BIG-IP appliance connected in the lab?

The BIG-IP appliance's network adapters are connected to the respective VM networks: Management Port to vmnet1, External Port to vmnet2, and Internal Port to vmnet3.

What is the significance of the fourth network adapter on the BIG-IP appliance?

The fourth network adapter on the BIG-IP appliance is not used in this setup and can be removed or left as per user preference.

What should be noted while defining the VM networks and connecting them to network adapters?

It is important to be careful with the IP schemes and the connections between the VMware networks and the virtual machines' network adapters to avoid issues that could hinder the lab setup.

What will be the focus of the next tutorial?

The next tutorial will focus on setting up the management IP address on the F5 BIG-IP through CLI and proceeding with the activation of the licenses received via email.

Outlines

00:00

💻 Setting Up VMware Networking for F5 BIG-IP Lab

This paragraph provides a step-by-step guide on setting up VMware networking for an F5 BIG-IP lab. It starts with recalling the previous tutorial's actions, such as downloading the F5 BIG-IP image file, importing it into VMware Workstation, and accessing it via CLI with default credentials. The tutorial then moves on to configuring the VMware networking by adding three networks (vmnet1, vmnet2, and vmnet3) with specific network addresses tailored to the lab's topology. Each network is set up without DHCP services and with the appropriate subnet masks. The process involves opening VMware Workstation, navigating to the Virtual Network Editor, and adjusting settings to match the lab requirements.

05:01

🔌 Connecting Virtual Machines to VMware Networks

The second paragraph explains how to connect virtual machines to the newly created VMware networks. It details the process of assigning specific IP addresses to a client machine and web servers, ensuring they are correctly connected to vmnet2 and vmnet3 respectively. The paragraph also covers the configuration of the BIG-IP's network adapters to match the lab topology, including the Management Port, External Port, and Internal Port, each connected to the appropriate vmnet. The importance of accurate configuration is emphasized to avoid issues that could hinder lab progression.

10:02

📬 Preparing for BIG-IP Management and License Activation

The final paragraph summarizes the tutorial's content and provides a preview of the next tutorial. It mentions the receipt of licenses via email and the intention to set up the management IP address on the F5 BIG-IP through CLI in the upcoming tutorial. The speaker encourages viewers to subscribe to the YouTube channel for further updates and thanks them for watching.

Keywords

💡FY big-ip image file

The 'FY big-ip image file' refers to a software image specifically for the F5 BIG-IP application delivery controller. In the video, the presenter mentions downloading this file from the F5 website and importing it into VMware Workstation. This file is crucial as it allows users to set up a virtual instance of the BIG-IP system, which is a key component in managing network traffic and application delivery.

💡VMware Workstation

VMware Workstation is a software product that allows users to create and interact with virtual machines on a single physical machine. The script describes using VMware Workstation to import the FY big-ip image file, indicating that it serves as the platform for running the BIG-IP virtual appliance. This is central to the video's theme of setting up a lab environment.

💡CLI

CLI stands for Command Line Interface, which is a way of interacting with computers by entering commands in a text-based interface. The video script mentions accessing the BIG-IP appliance through a CLI using default credentials. This is an essential step in configuring the virtual appliance and highlights the technical nature of the tutorial.

💡Licenses

In the context of the video, 'licenses' refer to the legal permission required to use the F5 BIG-IP software legally. The script mentions that licenses will be sent to the registered email address and are necessary for the activation of the BIG-IP appliance. This is a critical aspect of using the software legally and configuring it for use.

💡VMware Networking

VMware Networking configuration is discussed in the script as a way to set up the network for the virtual machines. The video explains adding VMware networks (vmnet1, vmnet2, and vmnet3) and configuring them according to the lab topology. This is a key part of the tutorial as it lays the groundwork for the network communication within the virtualized environment.

💡Lab Topology

The term 'lab topology' refers to the arrangement of network components in the lab environment being set up. The script describes defining network addresses for vmnet1, vmnet2, and vmnet3 according to the lab topology. Understanding the lab topology is essential for correctly configuring the network and ensuring that all components communicate as intended.

💡DHCP

DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, a network management protocol used to automatically assign IP addresses and other network configuration parameters to devices on a network. The script mentions unchecking the DHCP service for the networks being set up, indicating a manual configuration approach for the lab environment.

💡Management Port

The 'Management Port' is one of the network ports on the BIG-IP appliance, used for administrative access to the system. The script specifies that this port should be connected to vmnet1, which is part of the lab setup. This port is crucial for managing the BIG-IP system and is a key element in the network configuration described.

💡External Port

In the context of the video, the 'External Port' is a network port on the BIG-IP appliance that interfaces with the external network. The script describes connecting this port to vmnet2, which is part of the lab topology. This port is essential for traffic routing and management between the internal network and external networks.

💡Internal Port

The 'Internal Port' on the BIG-IP appliance is used to connect to the internal network. The script mentions that this port should be connected to vmnet3, aligning with the lab topology. This port is vital for managing traffic within the internal network and ensuring secure communication.

💡Network Adapters

Network adapters are hardware or software components that allow a computer to connect to a network. In the video script, the presenter discusses configuring the network adapters for the BIG-IP appliance and other virtual machines in the lab. This step is critical for establishing the necessary network connections and ensuring that all components can communicate within the virtualized environment.

Highlights

Introduction to the tutorial series on setting up a lab with F5 BIG-IP in VMware Workstation.

Downloading the F5 BIG-IP image file from the F5 website and importing it into VMware.

Accessing the BIG-IP appliance through CLI using default credentials.

Receiving BIG-IP licenses via email and the importance of checking the registered email.

Introduction to VMware Networking configuration for the lab setup.

Adding VMware networks: vmnet1, vmnet2, and vmnet3.

Defining network addresses for vmnet1 as 192.168.0.0/24.

Disabling DHCP services for vmnet1.

Setting up vmnet2 with a network address of 172.16.1.0/24.

Configuring vmnet3 with a network address of 10.1.1.0/24.

Applying changes to the VMware network settings for them to take effect.

Connecting the BIG-IP Management Port to vmnet1.

Connecting client machines to vmnet2 as per the lab topology.

Connecting web servers to vmnet3 in the lab setup.

Detailed steps on how to connect network adapters to the appropriate VMware networks.

The importance of accurate network configuration to avoid issues in the lab.

Preview of the next tutorial: setting up the management IP address on F5 BIG-IP and activating licenses.

Encouragement for viewers to subscribe to the YouTube channel for more tutorials.

Transcripts

hello everyone welcome to my YouTube

channel nude Networks

just to recall in our previous tutorial

we have downloaded FY big-ip image file

from F5 website

and imported that file into our VMware

Workstation

we have access the appliance through a

CLI using the default credentials using

a root user

and

if you remember when we were downloading

at that time the notified the notice we

have received from on the F5 website

that the licenses will be sent to your

registered email address within next 30

minutes

so guys we have received that in our

email but before we proceed with the

activation of the licenses uh this

particular tutorial I have kept for

showing you the VMware Networking

configuration

maybe many of our colleagues might be

aware how to set up this lab in the

VMware Workstation but I will be showing

so that you will have a better

understanding those who have a limited

exposure on this will have a better

understanding

so to prepare this lab the very first

thing what we are going to do is we will

be adding the VMware networks in our

VMware Workstation we will add vmnet1

vmnet and then pmnet3 let's open our

VMware Workstation uh click on edit over

here then go to Virtual Network editor

then over here in Virtual Network editor

click on Change setting

we are going to add three networks and

on these three networks we are going to

define the network addresses as per our

lab topology so VM Network one VM net

one

the network address will be

192.168.0.0 24.

let's add the network from here drag

down menu you can select VM net1

keep all the settings as default just

uncheck this because we don't need DHCP

services

and the subnet IP over here we will

change it as per our lab topology which

will be

192.168.0.0 and the subnet will be

255.255.255.0

so we have added VM Network one and

defined the address over here subnet

address

let's add vmnet also click on OK

and in VM net we need

172.16.1.0 24. so in vmnet2

what we are going to do all the things

will be as default just uncheck this

DHCP service from here and Define the

subnet IP 172.16.1.0

the subnet mask will be 255.255.255.0

and the third network which is vmnet3

it will be

10.1.1.0 24.

we let's add vmnet3 okay

and as usual keep the default settings

as default just uncheck this DHCP

service from here and Define subnet

10.1.1.0 and the subnet mask will be

255.255.255.0

Let's cross check once yes it is

10.1.1.0

so once you have added this network

click on apply starting over here

oh

for the changes to take effect

click ok

so guys we have added all this three VM

Networks now the second thing what we

are going to do is

see if you will see the big IP has the

ports as per our laptopology one will be

a Management Port another will be the

external port and one will be the

internal Port so this is basically your

physical host

and the Management Port will be

connected to vmnet1 we are not going to

do anything over here but yes on the

management Port the big IP Management

Port we are going to connect to VM net

one but before uh configuring the

network adapters for the big IP very

first we will be connecting the network

adapters for our and machines so we will

see

the client machine over here like the

machine which is on the external side

okay it has a IP address

172.16.1.15 and it is supposed to be

connected to vmnet so the very first

thing what we are going to do we will

connect the network adapter of this

machine to vmnet2 let's go to VMware

Workstation over here and you will have

a client machine right so this client

machine we will connect vmnet to as per

our lab topology so we have created VM

net to write just added this over here

uh in network adapter select vmnet and

click ok

so basically we have

connected this machine to the VM net as

per our lab topology

let's connect this web servers also

which we have already installed so this

web servers will be connected to vmnet

so let's connect this as well the web

server one will be connected to

VM net the as per our lab topology

choose this as VM net3 and click ok

similarly the web server 2 will be

connected vmnet3 you can see and the web

server 3 will be also connected the

network adapter of vmnet the network

adapter of web server 3 also will be

connected to

VM net 3 as you can see over here

so guys till now what we did we have

created three VM networks VM net one

vmnet2 vmnet3 with the subnet IB as per

our lab topology we have added the

network adapter the VM networks as per

our laptop will be the client machine

network adapter is connected to vmnet2

the web server

network adapters are connected to vmnet

moving on the last part which is

remaining is

connecting the network adapters of the

big IP to the VM networks accordingly as

per our laptopology so what I have done

like we have three ports the Management

Port we have the internal port and we

have the external port and the

Management Port is supposed to be

connected to VM Net One the external

Port is supposed to be connected to

vmnet2 and the internal Port is supposed

to be connected to vmnet theme

so we will go to VM

workstation over here

just right click over here and go to

settings

to edit this machine you will see that

you have four network adapters for this

machine however the fourth network

adapter is of no use you can simply

remove this from here or if you want to

keep it it's okay it's up to you so guys

uh what we are going to do just let me

open this here the management interface

which is supposed to be connected to

vmnet one has per hour lab topology we

are going to connect this to network

adapter the first one so let's go and do

it the network adapter will be our

to this particular editor adapter will

be our manage will be connecting to the

Management Port so go to custom and say

VM net one

similarly the network adapter 2 which is

our

external interface

will be connecting to will be connecting

to vmnet

this this second Port will be your

external Port of the in a big F5 big IP

so let's connect this to vmnet 2. and

the network adapter 3 let me show you

this as well the network adapter t

will be VM net 3 which is it will be

connecting to internal

pmnet3 to network adapter t

let's custom this and click on vmnet 3

and click on OK over here

so guys uh this is how you will be

setting up your lab you will be defining

the VM networks and just add a note of

one thing that the configuration which

we have done now is very much important

if you do a mistakes over here there is

a possibility you may face issue and you

won't be able to proceed further with

the lab so when you are defining a VM

Network be careful about the IP schemes

and connecting the

VMware Network to your network adapters

of the virtual machines so you can just

add a note of this thing and you will

never face the issues while doing the

lab for the

so guys that's all about the VMware

Networking and setting up your lab in

the VMware Workstation so

in the next tutorial what we are going

to do is very first we are going to set

up our management IP address on the

F5 big-ip through a CLI and we will

proceed with the activation of the

licenses the licenses which we have

received in our email and that I have

shown you in the previous tutorial

that's all in this tutorial guys thanks

for watching if you haven't subscribed

to my YouTube channel yet please

subscribe it now see you in the next

tutorial