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  5. Platform Installation
Manual Chapter : Platform Installation

Applies To:

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BIG-IP AAM

  • 14.1.0, 14.0.0, 13.1.1, 13.1.0, 13.0.1, 13.0.0, 12.1.4, 12.1.3, 12.1.2, 12.1.1, 12.1.0, 11.6.4, 11.6.3, 11.6.2, 11.6.1, 11.5.9, 11.5.8, 11.5.7, 11.5.6, 11.5.5, 11.5.4, 11.5.3, 11.5.2, 11.5.1

BIG-IP APM

  • 16.0.0, 15.1.0, 15.0.1, 15.0.0, 14.1.2, 14.1.0, 14.0.1, 14.0.0, 13.1.3, 13.1.1, 13.1.0, 13.0.1, 13.0.0, 12.1.4, 12.1.3, 12.1.2, 12.1.1, 12.1.0, 11.6.4, 11.6.3, 11.6.2, 11.6.1, 11.5.9, 11.5.8, 11.5.7, 11.5.6, 11.5.5, 11.5.4, 11.5.3, 11.5.2, 11.5.1

BIG-IP GTM

  • 11.6.4, 11.6.3, 11.6.2, 11.6.1, 11.5.9, 11.5.8, 11.5.7, 11.5.6, 11.5.5, 11.5.4, 11.5.3, 11.5.2, 11.5.1

BIG-IP Analytics

  • 16.0.0, 15.1.0, 15.0.1, 15.0.0, 14.1.2, 14.1.0, 14.0.1, 14.0.0, 13.1.3, 13.1.1, 13.1.0, 13.0.1, 13.0.0, 12.1.4, 12.1.3, 12.1.2, 12.1.1, 12.1.0, 11.6.4, 11.6.3, 11.6.2, 11.6.1, 11.5.9, 11.5.8, 11.5.7, 11.5.6, 11.5.5, 11.5.4, 11.5.3, 11.5.2, 11.5.1

BIG-IP Link Controller

  • 16.0.0, 15.1.0, 15.0.1, 15.0.0, 14.1.2, 14.1.0, 14.0.1, 14.0.0, 13.1.3, 13.1.1, 13.1.0, 13.0.1, 13.0.0, 12.1.4, 12.1.3, 12.1.2, 12.1.1, 12.1.0, 11.6.4, 11.6.3, 11.6.2, 11.6.1, 11.5.9, 11.5.8, 11.5.7, 11.5.6, 11.5.5, 11.5.4, 11.5.3, 11.5.2, 11.5.1

BIG-IP LTM

  • 16.0.0, 15.1.0, 15.0.1, 15.0.0, 14.1.2, 14.1.0, 14.0.1, 14.0.0, 13.1.3, 13.1.1, 13.1.0, 13.0.1, 13.0.0, 12.1.4, 12.1.3, 12.1.2, 12.1.1, 12.1.0, 11.6.4, 11.6.3, 11.6.2, 11.6.1, 11.5.9, 11.5.8, 11.5.7, 11.5.6, 11.5.5, 11.5.4, 11.5.3, 11.5.2, 11.5.1

BIG-IP AFM

  • 16.0.0, 15.1.0, 15.0.1, 15.0.0, 14.1.2, 14.1.0, 14.0.1, 14.0.0, 13.1.3, 13.1.1, 13.1.0, 13.0.1, 13.0.0, 12.1.4, 12.1.3, 12.1.2, 12.1.1, 12.1.0, 11.6.4, 11.6.3, 11.6.2, 11.6.1, 11.5.9, 11.5.8, 11.5.7, 11.5.6, 11.5.5, 11.5.4, 11.5.3, 11.5.2, 11.5.1

BIG-IP PEM

  • 16.0.0, 15.1.0, 15.0.1, 15.0.0, 14.1.2, 14.1.0, 14.0.1, 14.0.0, 13.1.3, 13.1.1, 13.1.0, 13.0.1, 13.0.0, 12.1.4, 12.1.3, 12.1.2, 12.1.1, 12.1.0, 11.6.4, 11.6.3, 11.6.2, 11.6.1, 11.5.9, 11.5.8, 11.5.7, 11.5.6, 11.5.5, 11.5.4, 11.5.3, 11.5.2, 11.5.1

BIG-IP DNS

  • 16.0.0, 15.1.0, 15.0.1, 15.0.0, 14.1.2, 14.1.0, 14.0.1, 14.0.0, 13.1.3, 13.1.1, 13.1.0, 13.0.1, 13.0.0, 12.1.4, 12.1.3, 12.1.2, 12.1.1, 12.1.0

BIG-IP ASM

  • 16.0.0, 15.1.0, 15.0.1, 15.0.0, 14.1.2, 14.1.0, 14.0.1, 14.0.0, 13.1.3, 13.1.1, 13.1.0, 13.0.1, 13.0.0, 12.1.4, 12.1.3, 12.1.2, 12.1.1, 12.1.0, 11.6.4, 11.6.3, 11.6.2, 11.6.1, 11.5.9, 11.5.8, 11.5.7, 11.5.6, 11.5.5, 11.5.4, 11.5.3, 11.5.2, 11.5.1
Manual Chapter
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Platform Installation

About installing the platform

After you have reviewed the hardware requirements and become familiar with the 4000 Series platform, you can install the unit.

Important: Before you install this platform, review the environmental guidelines to make sure that you are installing and using the platform into a compatible rack and in the appropriate environment.

About general recommendations for rack mounting

Although not required, a 1U space between units makes it easier for you to remove the unit from the rack in the event that the unit requires service. A 1U space between units also provides additional cable routing options.

Leaving at least 100 mm of space from the front panel of the unit to the rack front or rack door provides enough room for you to route the cables without excessive bending or insulation damage.

A shelf or similar device is required to support the unit if only one person is installing the unit.

Note: Before you install this platform, review the environmental guidelines to make sure that you are installing and using the platform in the appropriate environment.
Warning: Due to the weight of the platform, at least two people are required to install this chassis into a rack. Failing to use two people can result in severe personal injury or equipment damage.
Important: This product is sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD). F5® Networks recommends that you use proper ESD grounding procedures and equipment when you install or maintain the unit.

Unpacking the platform

The platform ships in a custom-designed package that protects the product during shipment. Due to the weight of the platform, there is a specific procedure that you must follow to ensure that you remove the platform from its packaging safely and securely.
Warning: To ensure your safety and to prevent damage to the chassis, at least two people are required to remove this chassis from the shipping box.
  1. If you have not already done so, open the top of the shipping box.
    Shipping box
  2. Remove the rail kit and accessory boxes from the foam inserts.
  3. Remove the platform from the box and remove the foam inserts.
    Chassis in box
  4. Remove the platform from the plastic bag.
  5. Place the platform on a flat surface until you are ready to install the platform into a rack.

Determining which rack mounting kit to use

The 4000 Series platform comes with two types of rack mounting kits: sliding quick-install rail-mounting and stationary front-mounting. An advantage of installing the quick-install kit is that you can then slide the unit in and out of the rack as needed.

The tasks required to install the platform might differ depending on the type of rack mount you decide to use or which type of cabinet unit you are installing into (single two-post cabinet or four-post cabinet).

About the quick-install rail kit

Use the quick-install rail kit if you want to be able to slide the unit in or out of the rack for maintenance activities. The kit includes two rails (left and right) and eight #8-32 thumb screws. The rails snap into place in the rack, and no tools are required to install a platform using this kit.

The rails are optimized for installation into square hole cabinets, but they can be installed in other cabinet styles, such as round hole cabinets, using the screws provided. The rails are easily converted to mount to either cabinet style.

Quick-install rail kit

Quick-install rail kit

For information about installing the platform using the quick-install rail kit, see the instruction guide provided by the manufacturer, which is included with the kit hardware.

After installing the platform, secure it to the rack with the rail lock brackets that are provided. .

About the front-mounting kit

You can use the front-mounting kit if you are installing into a two-post rack.

Note: You should use the front-mounting kit to install the platform only if you are installing into a two-post rack. For installing the platform into all other types of racks or cabinets, you should use the quick-install rail kit.

Front-mounting kit hardware

The front-mounting kit includes these hardware parts.

Quantity Hardware
2 Front-mounting brackets
8 #6-32 inch pan head screws

Installing using a front-mounting kit

This platform includes front-mounting brackets, which you can use to attach the unit directly to the rack.
  1. Align the bracket's keyhole slots with the PEM (brand) fasteners on the side of the unit.
  2. Slide the bracket toward the back of the unit to lock the bracket into place.
    Important: You must secure the bracket to the unit using four of the #6-32 inch screws provided with the platform.
    Front mount bracket installed on a platform
  3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for the other bracket.
  4. Secure the front-mounting brackets to the rack using four rack manufacturer-provided screws (two per side).
    The unit must be securely fastened to the rack to provide adequate stability and to prevent the unit from falling out of the rack.
If the rack you have does not provide adequate support for the unit, you might need a shelf kit. F5 recommends using a shelf kit created by the rack manufacturer, if available.

Installing the rail lock brackets

The rail lock brackets help secure a quick-install, rail kit-mounted platform to a rack.

  1. Attach the rail lock brackets to each side of the unit using the screws that are included in the kit.

    Rail mount lock brackets
  2. Slide the unit into the rack, and then secure the rail lock brackets to the rack on each side of the unit using either the two #8-32 pan head Philips screws that are included or screws provided by the rack manufacturer.
    Use 18 to 20 inch-pounds (2.0 to 2.3 Newton-meters) of torque on these screws.
    Platform installed using the quick-install rail kit

About grounding the platform

You should ground the platform after you install it in a rack. The chassis ground lug is located on the back of the platform.

Do not secure multiple bonding or grounding connectors with the same bolt. The grounding connectors do not need to be removed to perform service or installation procedures. You can connect other bonding or grounding conductors to a grounding connector provided a reliable bond between the connector and the equipment is not disturbed during installation, service, or maintenance of the platform.

Important: All grounding cable terminal lugs must meet appropriate safety standards.
Note: The platform must be grounded to a common bonding network (CBN).
DC ground lugs

Chassis ground lug

Connecting the ground lug to the ground terminal

After the unit is installed in the rack and before you provide power to the system, you need to connect the grounding hardware.
  1. Attach a grounding terminal lug to 12 AWG copper ground wire.
  2. Install the #8-32 Keps nuts on the ground terminal lugs.
    Use 60 to 70 inch-pounds (6.8 to 8.0 Newton-meters) of torque on these Keps nuts.
  3. Connect the ground wire to a common bonding network (CBN).

Connecting the cables and other hardware

After you have installed the unit into the rack, connect the cables and other hardware.
Important: In the event that network access is impaired or not yet configured, the serial console might be the only way to access the unit. You should perform all installations and upgrades using the serial console, as these procedures require reboots, in which network connectivity is lost temporarily.
  1. Connect an Ethernet cable to the MGMT port if you are using the default network configured on the management interface.
    Note: For EMI compliance, shielded cables are required for the MGMT port, and the shield must be grounded at both ends.
  2. Connect to a serial console server. Depending on which BIG-IP® system you have, you can use either the supplied RJ45 to DB9 console port cable or the RJ45F to RJ45M rolled serial adapter to connect the BIG-IP system to a serial console.
    • Connect the RJ45 to DB9 console port cable to the CONSOLE port on the BIG-IP system.
      Note: The default baud rate is 19200,n,8,1.
    • Connect the RJ45F to RJ45M rolled serial adapter to the console port if you are connecting the system to a serial console server with a standard CAT5 cable, and then connect the CAT5 cable to the adapter. The adapter provides the appropriate pinout connection to your equipment.
      RJ45F to RJ45M adapter

      The RJ45F to RJ45M rolled serial (pass-through) adapter

  3. For AC-powered systems, connect the power cable to the power input panel, and then connect it to the power source. For DC-powered systems, wire the DC power terminal block and connect the power supply to a DC power source.
  4. Connect the serial failover cable to the FAILOVER port on each unit if you plan to set up device service clustering (DSC™) with hard-wired failover capacity.
    For more information about configuring failover, see BIG-IP® Device Service Clustering: Administration.
  5. If you have not already done so, power on the unit.

You can now assign a management IP address to the system, and then license and provision the software.

Optionally, you should run the latest version of the qkview utility. This utility collects configuration and diagnostic information about your system into a single file that you can provide to F5 Technical Support to aid in troubleshooting. For more information, see http://support.f5.com/kb/en-us/solutions/public/12000/800/sol12878.html.

Configuring a management IP address using the LCD panel

You can use the LCD panel to configure the management IP address. The management IP address enables you to access the BIG-IP® Configuration utility to configure other aspects of the product, such as the product license, VLANs, and trunks. The options are located in the System menu.
Note: When using the LCD panel to configure the unit, be sure to use the Commit option to save all settings.
  1. Press the X button to activate Menu mode for the LCD.
  2. Press the Check button to select System.
  3. To configure the management IP address using DHCP:
    1. Press the Check button to select DHCP.
    2. Press the Check button to select enabled.
  4. To configure the management IP address manually:
    1. Press the Check button to select Management.
    2. Press the Check button to select Address Type, and then press the Check button again to select either IPv4 or IPv6.
    3. Use the arrow keys to select Mgmt IP and press the Check button.
    4. Use the arrow keys to configure the management IP address.
    5. Use the arrow keys to select Prefix Length and press the Check button.
    6. Use the arrow keys to configure the length of the routing prefix for the IPv4 or IPv6 management IP address.
    7. Use the arrow keys to select Mgmt Gateway and press the Check button.
    8. Use the arrow keys to configure the default route for the management interface.
  5. Use the arrow keys to select Commit and press the Check button.

Licensing the platform

Once the management IP address is configured for the platform, you can use the BIG-IP® Configuration utility to license the appropriate BIG-IP software.
  1. Using a Web browser, navigate to the management IP address that you assigned to the platform.
    Use this format where <mgmt_ip_address> is the management IP address you assigned:
    https://<mgmt_ip_address>
  2. Type admin as the user name and admin as the password.
    If this is the first time you have accessed the Configuration utility, the first screen you see is the License screen.
  3. Follow the instructions in the Configuration utility to license the platform.
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