Duration
3 days
Overview
This three-day course provides networking professionals a functional understanding of iRules development. The course builds on the foundation of the Administering BIG-IP v12 course, demonstrating how to logically plan and write iRules to help monitor and manage common tasks involved with processing traffic on the BIG-IP. Course Labs consist of writing, applying and evaluating the effect of iRules on LTM traffic. This hands-on course includes lectures, labs, and discussions.
Chapter 1: Setting Up the BIG-IP System
- Introducing the BIG-IP System
- Initially Setting Up the BIG-IP System
- Archiving the BIG-IP Configuration
- Leveraging F5 Support Resources and Tools
Chapter 2: Getting Started with iRules
- Customizing Application Delivery iRules
- Triggering on iRule
- Leveraging the DevCentral Ecosystem
- Using the F5 iRule Editor
- Assigning and Testing iRules
Chapter 3: Exploring iRule Elements
- Understanding Events and Event Context
- Introducing iRule Constructs
- Working with iRule Commands
- Working with User-Defined Variables
- Working with Operators and Data Types
- Working with Control Structures
- IF-ELSEIF-ELSE
- SWITCH
- WHILE
- FOR
- FOREACH
- Logging from an iRule Using syslog-ng
- LOG
- Incorporating Best Practices in iRules
Chapter 4: Developing and Troubleshooting iRules
- Mastering Whitespace and Special Symbols
- Developing and Troubleshooting Tips
- Using Fiddler to Test and Troubleshoot iRules
Chapter 5: Optimizing iRules Execution
- Understanding the Need for Efficiency
- Measuring iRule Runtime Efficiency
- Modularizing for Administrative Efficiency
- Using Procedures to Modularize Code
- Optimizing Logging
- Implementing Other Efficiency Best Practices
Chapter 6: Securing Applications with iRules
- Reviewing BIG-IP Security Features
- Preventing Common HTTP Attacks
Chapter 7: Working with Numbers and Strings
- Understanding Number Forms and Notation
- Working with Strings
- Parsing Strings
- STRING TOLOWER | TOUPPER
- STRING LENGTH
- STRING MAP
- STRING RANGE
- STRING FIRST | LAST
- SCAN
- Combining Strings
- Combining Strings with Adjacent Variables
- CONCAT
- APPEND
- iRule String Parsing Functions
- FINDSTR
- GETFIELD
- SUBSTR
Chapter 8: Focusing on HTTP Traffic
- Reviewing HTTP Headers and Commands
- Accessing and Manipulating HTTP Headers
- Parsing the HTTP URI
- Selectively Compressing HTTP Data
Chapter 9: Working with iFiles and Data Groups
- Working with iFiles
- Introducing Data Groups
- Working with Old Format Data Groups (Classes)
- MATCHCLASS
- FINDCLASS
- Working with New Format Data Groups
- CLASS MATCH
- CLASS SEARCH
- Other CLASS Commands
Chapter 10: Using iRules with Universal Persistence, Stream, and Statistics Profiles
- Implementing Universal Persistence
- PERSIST UIE
- Working with the Stream Profile
- STREAM
- Working with the Statistics Profile
- STATS
- Using iStats
Chapter 11: Incorporating Advanced Variables
- Using Advanced Variables
- ARRAY
- Using Static Variables
- Understanding Global Variables
- Using the Session Table
Chapter 12: Additional Training and Certification
- Getting Started Series Web-Based Training
- F5 Instructor Led Training Curriculum
- F5 Professional Certification Program
Appendix A: Possible Lab Solutions
Audience
This course is intended for system administrators, network administrators and application developers responsible for the customization of traffic flow through a BIG-IP system.
Prerequisites
Students must complete one of the following F5 prerequisites before attending this course:
- Administering BIG-IP instructor-led course
- Configuring BIG-IP LTM instructor-led course
- F5 Certified BIG-IP Administrator
The following general network technology knowledge and experience are recommended before attending any F5 Global Training Services instructor-led course:
- OSI model encapsulation
- Routing and switching
- Ethernet and ARP
- TCP/IP concepts
- IP addressing and subnetting
- NAT and private IP addressing
- Default gateway
- Network firewalls
- LAN vs. WAN
The following course-specific knowledge and experience is suggested before attending this course:
- HTTP protocol
- Any programming language
Additional Resources
- Free web-based training on F5 products and technologies: F5 University
- Certifications and exams: F5 Certification
Programme scope, delivery arrangements and suitability are confirmed during enquiry.