TRAINING COURSE

Configuring BIG-IP DNS (formerly GTM)

This course gives networking professionals a functional understanding of the BIG-IP DNS system as it is commonly used. The course covers configuration and ongoing management of the BIG-IP DNS system, and includes a combination of lecture, discussion, and hands-on labs.

Course Objectives

  • Provision the BIG-IP system for operation
  • Back up the BIG-IP system configuration for safekeeping
  • Describe how the Domain Name System (DNS) resolves host names into IP addresses
  • Describe how the BIG-IP DNS system can participate in the DNS resolution process
  • Use DNS Express on the BIG-IP DNS system to accelerate DNS resolution
  • Cache DNS query responses on BIG-IP DNS to accelerate DNS resolution
  • Load balance DNS queries to a pool of DNS servers and monitor pool health
  • Configure the key features of the BIG-IP DNS system to perform intelligent DNS resolution
  • Describe the LDNS probes used by BIG-IP DNS to support path-based load balancing
  • Configure a wide IP pool to use a path load balancing method
  • View and confirm DNS resolution behavior using path load balancing methods
  • Use static and dynamic load balancing methods to intelligently resolve DNS queries
  • Use persistence to effectively return one or more clients to the same virtual server on each query
  • Use manual resume to control certain load balancing behavior in the event of an outage
  • Configure and use load balancing decision logs to fine-tune and troubleshoot DNS resolution
  • Configure monitors on the BIG-IP DNS system in support of DNS resolution
  • Configure BIG-IP DNS to participate in the DNSSEC chain of trust
  • Configure limit settings on virtual servers, servers, and wide IP pools to temporarily direct client traffic away from resources that may not be performing at certain thresholds of efficiency
  • Configure iRules on a wide IP to customize intelligent DNS resolution
  • Describe the other wide IP types provided with BIG-IP DNS
  • Configure a BIG-IP DNS sync group
  • Apply all the principles learned throughout the course to configure a BIG-IP DNS system based on hypothetical specifications

Course Topics

  • Overview of the Domain Name System and DNS resolution flow through BIG-IP DNS
  • Configuring DNS listeners
  • Accelerating DNS resolution with DNS Express, DNS cache, and DNS server load balancing
  • Intelligent DNS resolution with wide IPs and wide IP pools
  • Using probes and metrics to assist the intelligent DNS resolution process
  • Intelligent DNS load balancing methods
  • Monitoring intelligent DNS resources
  • Logging GSLB load balancing decisions
  • Using DNSSEC
  • Integrating iRules in the DNS resolution process
  • Managing BIG-IP DNS sync groups

Audience

This course is intended for system and network administrators responsible for installation, setup, configuration, and administration of BIG-IP DNS systems.

Prerequisites

There are no F5-technology-specific prerequisites for this course: However, completing the following before attending would be helpful for students with limited BIG-IP administration and configuration experience:

The following free web-based courses, although optional, will be very helpful for any student with limited BIG-IP administration and configuration experience.

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:

  • DNS resolution process
  • Experience configuring DNS content and resolution servers
  • DNSSEC

Major Course Changes since v14

The Configuring DNS v15.1 course presents much of the same content as v14.1, with very minor modifications.

Course Outlines

View Course Outline v15

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
  • Provision the BIG-IP System and Confirm Network Configuration

Chapter 2: Introducing the Domain Name System (DNS) and BIG-IP DNS

  • Understanding the Domain Name System (DNS)
  • Reviewing the Name Resolution Process
  • Implementing BIG-IP DNS
  • Using DNS Resolution Diagnostic Tools

Chapter 3: Accelerating DNS Resolution

  • Introducing DNS Resolution with BIG-IP DNS
  • BIG-IP DNS Resolution Decision Flow
  • Configuring BIG-IP DNS Listeners
  • Resolving DNS Queries in the Labs (Lab Zone Records)
  • Load Balancing Queries to a DNS Server Pool
  • Accelerating DNS Resolution with DNS Cache
  • Accelerating DNS Resolution with DNS Express
  • Introducing Wide IPs
  • Using Other Resolution Methods with BIG-IP DNS
  • Integrating BIG-IP DNS into Existing DNS Environments

Chapter 4: Implementing Intelligent DNS Resolutions

  • Introducing Intelligent DNS Resolution
  • Identifying Physical Network Components
  • Identifying Logical Network Components
  • Collecting Metrics for Intelligent Resolution
  • Configuring Data Centers
  • Configuring a BIG-IP DNS System as a Server
  • Configuring a BIG-IP LTM System as a Server
  • Establishing iQuery Communication between BIG-IP Systems
  • Configuring a Non-F5 Server
  • Defining Links and Routers
  • Configuring Wide IP Pools
  • Configuring Wide IPs
  • Managing Object Status
  • Using the Traffic Management Shell (TMSH)

Chapter 5: Using LDNS Probes and Metrics

  • Introducing LDNS Probes and Metrics
  • Types of LDNS Probes
  • Excluding an LDNS from Probing
  • Configuring Probe Metrics Collection

Chapter 6: Load Balancing Intelligent DNS Resolution

  • Introducing Load Balancing on BIG-IP DNS
  • Using Static Load Balancing Methods
  • Round Robin
  • Ratio
  • Global Availability
  • Static Persist
  • Other Static Load Balancing Methods
  • Using Dynamic Load Balancing Methods
  • Round Trip Time
  • Completion Rate
  • CPU
  • Hops
  • Least Connections
  • Packet Rate
  • Kilobytes per Second
  • Other Dynamic Load Balancing Methods
  • Virtual Server Capacity
  • Virtual Server Score
  • Using Quality of Service Load Balancing
  • Persisting DNS Query Responses
  • Configuring GSLB Load Balancing Decision Logs
  • Using Manual Resume
  • Using Topology Load Balancing

Chapter 7: Monitoring Intelligent DNS Resources

  • Exploring Monitors
  • Configuring Monitors
  • Assigning Monitors to Resources
  • Monitoring Best Practices

Chapter 8: Advanced BIG-IP DNS Topics

  • Implementing DNSSEC
  • Setting Limits for Resource Availability
  • Using iRules with Wide IPs
  • Introducing Other Wide IP Types
  • Implementing BIG-IP DNS Sync Groups

Chapter 9: Final Configuration Projects
View Course Outline v14

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
  • Provision the BIG-IP System and Confirm Network Configuration

Chapter 2: Introducing the Domain Name System (DNS) and BIG-IP DNS

  • Understanding the Domain Name System (DNS)
  • Reviewing the Name Resolution Process
  • Implementing BIG-IP DNS
  • Using DNS Resolution Diagnostic Tools

Chapter 3: Accelerating DNS Resolution

  • Introducing DNS Resolution with BIG-IP DNS
  • BIG-IP DNS Resolution Decision Flow
  • Configuring BIG-IP DNS Listeners
  • Resolving DNS Queries in the Labs (Lab Zone Records)
  • Load Balancing Queries to a DNS Server Pool
  • Accelerating DNS Resolution with DNS Cache
  • Accelerating DNS Resolution with DNS Express
  • Introducing Wide IPs
  • Using Other Resolution Methods with BIG-IP DNS
  • Integrating BIG-IP DNS into Existing DNS Environments

Chapter 4: Implementing Intelligent DNS Resolutions

  • Introducing Intelligent DNS Resolution
  • Identifying Physical Network Components
  • Identifying Logical Network Components
  • Collecting Metrics for Intelligent Resolution
  • Configuring Data Centers
  • Configuring a BIG-IP DNS System as a Server
  • Configuring a BIG-IP LTM System as a Server
  • Establishing iQuery Communication between BIG-IP Systems
  • Configuring a Non-F5 Server
  • Defining Links and Routers
  • Configuring Wide IP Pools
  • Configuring Wide IPs
  • Managing Object Status
  • Using the Traffic Management Shell (TMSH)

Chapter 5: Using LDNS Probes and Metrics

  • Introducing LDNS Probes and Metrics
  • Types of LDNS Probes
  • Excluding an LDNS from Probing
  • Configuring Probe Metrics Collection

Chapter 6: Load Balancing Intelligent DNS Resolution

  • Introducing Load Balancing on BIG-IP DNS
  • Using Static Load Balancing Methods
  • Round Robin
  • Ratio
  • Global Availability
  • Static Persist
  • Other Static Load Balancing Methods
  • Using Dynamic Load Balancing Methods
  • Round Trip Time
  • Completion Rate
  • CPU
  • Hops
  • Least Connections
  • Packet Rate
  • Kilobytes per Second
  • Other Dynamic Load Balancing Methods
  • Using Quality of Service Load Balancing
  • Persisting DNS Query Responses
  • Configuring GSLB Load Balancing Decision Logs
  • Using Manual Resume
  • Using Topology Load Balancing

Chapter 7: Monitoring Intelligent DNS Resources

  • Exploring Monitors
  • Configuring Monitors
  • Assigning Monitors to Resources
  • Monitoring Best Practices

Chapter 8: Advanced BIG-IP DNS Topics

  • Implementing DNSSEC
  • Setting Limits for Resource Availability
  • Using iRules with Wide IPs
  • Introducing Other Wide IP Types
  • Implementing BIG-IP DNS Sync Groups

Chapter 9: Final Configuration Projects

SKU: F5-TRG-BIG-DNS-IL

Price: $1,995 (USD)

Course Length: 2 days

Designed for:
    Network Administrator
    Operator

Check course availability