Platform Guide: 1500, 3400, 6400, and 6800 MAN-0124-01 Updated 8/3/05
Product Version This manual applies to hardware platforms 1500, 3400, 6400, and 6800 created by F5 Networks, Inc. Legal Notices Copyright Copyright 1996-2005, F5 Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. F5 Networks, Inc. (F5) believes the information it furnishes to be accurate and reliable. However, F5 assumes no responsibility for the use of this information, nor any infringement of patents or other rights of third parties which may result from its use.
VCCI Class A Compliance This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio interference, in which case the user may be required to take corrective actions.
Acknowledgments This product includes software developed by Bill Paul. This product includes software developed by Jonathan Stone. This product includes software developed by Manuel Bouyer. This product includes software developed by Paul Richards. This product includes software developed by the NetBSD Foundation, Inc. and its contributors. This product includes software developed by the Politecnico di Torino, and its contributors.
This product contains software based on oprofile, which is protected under the GNU Public License. This product includes RRDtool software developed by Tobi Oetiker (http://www.rrdtool.com/index.html) and licensed under the GNU General Public License. This product contains software licensed from Dr. Brian Gladman under the GNU General Public License (GPL). This product includes software developed by the Apache Software Foundation (http://www.apache.org/). This product includes Hypersonic SQL.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents 1 Introducing the IP Application Switch Platform Working with the IP Application Switch platform ..................................................................1-1 Getting started ................................................................................................................................1-2 Components provided with the IP Application Switch .................................................1-3 Peripheral hardware that you provide .....................................
Table of Contents 6 Working with Environmental Guidelines for the IP Application Switch Platform Environmental requirements ........................................................................................................6-1 General guidelines .................................................................................................................6-1 Guidelines for DC-powered equipment ...........................................................................
1 Introducing the IP Application Switch Platform • Working with the IP Application Switch platform • Getting started • Familiarizing yourself with the IP Application Switch • Understanding the Platform Guide for the 1500, 3400, 6400, and 6800 platforms
Introducing the IP Application Switch Platform Working with the IP Application Switch platform The IP Application Switch™ platforms are powerful systems capable of managing traffic for any size of enterprise. Externally, the IP Application Switch platforms look similar. However, there are internal differences and some minor external differences. ◆ 1500 platform This platform is designed for the best performance at the price.
Chapter 1 Figure 1.3 This is an external view of the 6400 or 6800 platform Getting started There are several basic tasks you must complete to get the IP Application Switch platform installed and set up. • Review the hardware requirements. For more information about the hardware requirements, read the following sections, Components provided with the IP Application Switch, and Peripheral hardware that you provide. • Understand the environmental guidelines.
Introducing the IP Application Switch Platform Components provided with the IP Application Switch When you unpack the IP Application Switch, you should make sure that the following components, shown in Figure 1.
Chapter 1 ◆ You also need network hubs, switches, or concentrators to connect to the IP Application Switch network interfaces. The devices you select must be compatible with the network interface cards installed in the IP Application Switch. The devices can support 10/100 Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet. • Ethernet requires either a 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps hub or switch. • Gigabit Ethernet requires a compatible Gigabit Ethernet switch.
Introducing the IP Application Switch Platform Familiarizing yourself with the IP Application Switch The IP Application Switch comes in several different hardware configurations. Before you begin to install the IP Application Switch, you may want to quickly review the following figures that illustrate the controls and ports on both the front and the back of an IP Application Switch.
Chapter 1 1. Management interface 2. Console port 3. Hard-wired fail-over port 4. 10/100/1000 interfaces 5. USB port 6. SFP Gbics 7. Status LEDs 8. LCD control buttons Figure 1.6 Front view of the 1500 series IP Application Switch If you have physical access to the unit, you can use the front-panel LEDs to assess the condition of the unit. For details about the behavior of the LEDs, see Understanding LED behavior, on page 4-1. Figure 1.7, following, illustrates the back of a IP Application Switch.
Introducing the IP Application Switch Platform Understanding the Platform Guide for the 1500, 3400, 6400, and 6800 platforms This guide describes the features of the 1500, 3400, 6400, and 6800 IP Application Switch platforms. This guide contains the following information about these platforms. • Installing the hardware You can learn how to install the hardware in a rack. • Understanding the ports and interfaces You can understand the intended use of the ports and interfaces on each platform.
Chapter 1 • Individual bigpipe commands have online help, including command syntax and examples, in standard UNIX man page format. Simply type the command man to display the man page. • The BIG-IP software displays the syntax and usage associated with the command. ◆ Ask F5 Technical Support web site The F5 Networks Technical Support web site, http://tech.f5.
Introducing the IP Application Switch Platform Identifying references to other documents We use italic text to denote a reference to another document. In references where we provide the name of a book as well as a specific chapter or section in the book, we show the book name in bold, italic text, and the chapter/section name in italic text to help quickly differentiate the two. Identifying command syntax We show complete commands in bold Courier text.
Chapter 1 1 - 10
2 Installing the IP Application Switch Platform • Installing and connecting the hardware
Installing the IP Application Switch Platform Installing and connecting the hardware After you have reviewed the hardware requirements and become familiar with the IP Application switch, as described in Getting started, on page 1-2, you can install the unit. There are two basic tasks required to install the hardware. You simply need to install the IP Application Switch in a rack, and then connect the peripheral hardware and the interfaces.
Chapter 2 If the rack you have does not provide adequate support for the unit, you may need a shelf kit. We recommend that you use a shelf kit created by the rack manufacturer. For example, some rack manufacturers provide shelf kits for their racks. Figure 2.1 shows the orientation of the IP Application Switch and the mounting screws for installation in a standard 19" rack. Figure 2.2 shows the IP Application Switch installed in the rack. Figure 2.
Installing the IP Application Switch Platform Figure 2.2 Platform installed in a 19" rack To connect the cables and hardware for input/output 1. Connect the hardware that you have chosen to use for input/output. For details about connecting the system to a management workstation or network, see Chapter 2, Connecting a Management Workstation or Network, in Installation, Licensing, and Upgrades for BIG-IP Systems.
Chapter 2 2-4
3 Operating the LCD Panel • Introducing the LCD panel • Using the LCD panel • Navigating through the LCD menus
Operating the LCD Panel Introducing the LCD panel The liquid crystal display, or LCD panel, provides the ability to control the unit without attaching a serial or network cable. The following menus are available on the LCD panel. ◆ Information menu Use the Information menu to find information about using the LCD and its functionality. ◆ System menu Use the System menu to reboot, netboot, or halt the unit.
Chapter 3 Using the LCD panel You can configure the LCD panel to meet your needs. The following section describes how to perform a number of tasks with the LCD panel: • Pause on a screen • Use the LCD menus • Power up the unit • Halt the unit • Power down the unit • Reboot the unit Pausing on a screen Normally, the screens cycle on the LCD at a constant rate. However, push the Check button to toggle the LCD between Hold and Rotate modes. In Hold mode, a single screen is displayed.
Operating the LCD Panel Powering down the unit Hold the X button for 4 seconds to power down the unit. We recommend that you halt the system before you power down the system in this manner. Rebooting the unit Hold the Check button for 4 seconds to reboot the unit. You should only use this option after you halt the unit. Clearing alerts Press the Check button to clear any alerts on the LCD screen. You must clear any alerts on the screen before you can use the LCD.
Chapter 3 Navigating through the LCD menus To use the LCD menus, you must first put the LCD in Menu mode. To put the LCD in menu mode, press the X button. After you put the LCD in menu mode, use the Left Arrow, Right Arrow, Up Arrow, and Down Arrow buttons to select menu options. There are four menu options: • Information • System • Screens • Options The following tables describe each LCD menu option.
Operating the LCD Panel System menu The System menu provides various options for rebooting, halting, or netbooting the hardware. This menu also provides options for configuring the network on the management interface. The following table, Table 3.2, lists the options available in the System menu. Option Description Reboot Select this option to reboot the unit. Halt Select this option to halt the unit. Netboot Select this option if you are installing software from a PXE server.
Chapter 3 Screens menu You can use the Screens menu options to view various statistics and information about the system. The following table, Table 3.3, lists all the general information screens. You can use the Check button to place a check mark next to the name of the screens you would like to appear when the screens cycle. Option Description Version screen Displays the product version information. Information screen Displays the information screen menu.
Operating the LCD Panel Options menu You can use the Options menu to adjust the display properties of the LCD panel. The following table, Table 3.4, lists the options available on the Options menu. Option Description Contrast Use the Left and Right arrow keys on the LCD to set the contrast of the LCD. On Brightness This setting provides the ability to adjust the LCD backlight brightness. Off Brightness This setting controls the brightness of the LCD panel when the backlight is off.
Chapter 3 3-8
4 Using Additional IP Application Switch Functionality • Understanding LED behavior • Working with interfaces • Hardware acceleration
Using Additional IP Application Switch Functionality Understanding LED behavior This section describes the LED behavior of the BIG-IP software, version 9.0 and later, on BIG-IP 1000, 2400, and 5100 platforms and the BIG-IP 1500, 3400, 6400, and 6800 platforms Important Installing BIG-IP version 9.0 on the 1000, 2400, and 5100 platforms changes the way the front-panel LEDs work on these systems. The LEDs do not function in the manner described in the BIG-IP version 4.x documentation.
Chapter 4 LED indicator actions The behavior, or action, of each of LED indicates the status of the system. The LED indicator actions are defined in Table 4.2. Action Description off (none) The LED is not lit and does not display any color. solid The LED is lit and does not blink. blinking The LED turns on and off at a regular frequency. intermittent The LED turns on and off with an irregular frequency and may sometimes appear solid. Table 4.
Using Additional IP Application Switch Functionality Alert conditions indicated by the LEDs When there is an alert condition on the unit, the LEDs behave in a specific manner. The alert conditions are defined in Table 4.4.
Chapter 4 Green intermittent Activity LED indicator When the Activity LED indicator flashes green intermittently, it indicates one of the following conditions: • On BIG-IP 1000, 2400, and 5100 models, this indicates PCI bus activity, which includes, but is not limited to, inbound or outbound network traffic. • On BIG-IP 1500, 3400, 6400, and 6800, this indicates Ethernet interface activity, which includes, but is not limited to, inbound or outbound network traffic.
Using Additional IP Application Switch Functionality Working with interfaces You can perform configuration tasks such as displaying interface status and settings, setting the media type, and setting the duplex mode using the bigpipe command. When using bigpipe, and a command calls for a list of interfaces, the list may consist of one or more interfaces, with multiple interfaces separated by spaces. For example: 1.1 1.2 2.1 2.
Chapter 4 Setting the media type All interfaces on the BIG-IP system default to auto-negotiate speed and duplex settings. We recommend that you configure any network equipment that you plan to use with the BIG-IP system to auto-negotiate speed and duplex settings. If you connect the BIG-IP system to network devices with forced speed and duplex settings, you must force the speed and duplex settings of the BIG-IP system to match the settings of the other network device.
Using Additional IP Application Switch Functionality Hardware acceleration The Packet Velocity ASIC® 2 optimizes application performance, and reduces application wait times. An ASIC is an Application Specific Integrated Circuit. The Packet Velocity ASIC is designed to accelerate Layer 4 decisions. Off-loading the Layer 4 decisions enables the BIG-IP system to increase performance and throughput for basic routing functions (Layer 4) and application switching (Layer 7).
Chapter 4 4-8
5 Servicing the Fan Tray and Filter • Servicing the fan tray and filter
Servicing the Fan Tray and Filter Servicing the fan tray and filter With the 6400 and 6800 series platforms, you can change the fan tray and filter. You can replace the fan tray and filter in the event of a fan failure, or as part of the routine maintenance of the unit. Note We recommend that you inspect the fan tray and filter every four months. Replace the fan tray if any of the fans are not functional. Replace the filter when you replace the fan tray.
Chapter 5 Figure 5.1 The removable fan and filter tray You can replace the filter without replacing the fan tray. This requires you to remove the fan tray and replace the old filter with a new one. To replace the filter only 1. Start by opening the front panel of the BIG-IP system running in standby mode. 2. The fan tray is held into the chassis using a knurled fastener. Loosen the knurled fastener by turning it counter-clockwise. 3. Pull the old fan tray and filter out of the system. 4.
6 Working with Environmental Guidelines for the IP Application Switch Platform • Environmental requirements
Working with Environmental Guidelines for the IP Application Switch Platform Environmental requirements Before you install the IP Application Switch, review the following guidelines to make sure that you are installing and using the IP Application Switch in the appropriate environment. General guidelines An IP Application Switch is an industrial network appliance, designed to be mounted in a standard 19-inch rack.
Chapter 6 Guidelines for DC-powered equipment A DC-powered installation must meet the following requirements: • Install the unit using a 20 Amp external branch circuit protection device. • For permanently connected equipment, incorporate a readily accessible disconnect in the fixed wiring. • Use only copper conductors.
7 Reviewing Hardware Specifications • Reviewing hardware specifications • 1500 specifications • 3400 specifications • 6400 specifications • 6800 specifications • Additional acoustic, airflow, and altitude specifications
Reviewing Hardware Specifications Reviewing hardware specifications The following section contains additional information about the IP Application Switch hardware platforms.
Chapter 7 1500 specifications The following specifications apply to only the 1500 platform. Item Specification Dimensions 1.75"H x 19"W x 20"D (per unit) 1U industry standard rack-mount chassis Weight 19 lbs. (per unit) Processor Single 2.
Reviewing Hardware Specifications 3400 specifications The following specifications apply to only the 3400 platform. Item Specification Dimensions 1.75"H x 19"W x 20"D (per unit) 1U industry standard rack-mount chassis Weight 22 lbs. (per unit) Processor Single Pentium IV 2.
Chapter 7 6400 specifications The following specifications apply to only the 6400 IP Application Switch platform. Item Specification Dimensions 3.5"H x 19"W x 24"D (per unit) 2U industry standard rack-mount chassis Weight 40 lbs. (single power), 43 lbs. (dual power) per unit Processor Dual Opteron 1.
Reviewing Hardware Specifications 6800 specifications The following specifications apply to only the 6800 IP Application Switch platform. Item Specification Dimensions 3.5"H x 19"W x 24"D (per unit) 2U industry standard rack-mount chassis Weight 40 lbs. (single power), 43 lbs. (dual power) per unit Processor Dual Opteron 2.
Chapter 7 Additional acoustic, airflow, and altitude specifications This section describes additional specifications such as acoustic levels, airflow movement, and operational altitude for the BIG-IP 1500, 3400, 6400, and 6800 chassis.
Glossary
Glossary bigpipe The bigpipe utility provides command line access to the BIG-IP software. BIOS BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System. The BIOS is software that is built-in to the computer and determines what the computer can do without accessing programs from a disk. Configuration utility The Configuration utility is the browser-based application that you use to configure the software. DHCP DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol.
Glossary SSH SSH is a protocol for secure remote login and other secure network services over a non-secure network. SSL SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. It is a protocol that uses a public key to encrypt data transmitted through the Internet over an SSL connection. URLs using an SSL connection start with HTTPS: instead of HTTP:. subnetwork The portion of a network that shares a common address component.
Index
Index A acceleration hardware 4-7 Layer 4 4-7 acoustic specifications 7-6 additional resources finding 1-7 airflow specifications 7-6 alert conditions, see LED indicators 4-3 alerts and clearing 3-3 and LCD 3-3 altitude specifications 7-6 ASIC.
Index attributes 4-5 setting 4-6 Menu mode 3-2, 3-4 menus on LCD panel 3-4 T O U online help finding 1-7 Options menu 3-1, 3-7 USB port supported CD drives 1-4 P Packet Velocity ASIC II 4-7 panel, see LCD panel 3-1 ports 1-5, 1-6 power cable 2-3 power down operation 3-3 power up operation 3-2 R rack installation connecting components 2-1 rack mounting 6-1 reboot unit operation 3-3 red, see LED indicators redundant systems and fail-over cable 1-3 release notes finding 1-7 remote administration 1-4 re
