F5 Configuring BIG-IP DNS: Domain Name System

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 outline

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: 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 and State
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

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 DNS resolution with wide IPs and wide IP pools
Describe how the BIG-IP DNS system can participate in the DNS resolution process
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.

Who should attend?

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:

Administering BIG-IP instructor-led course or F5 Certified BIG-IP Administrator