Configuring BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM)

This course uses lectures and hands-on exercises to give participants real-time experience in setting up and configuring the BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager system. Students are introduced to the AFM user interface, stepping through various options that demonstrate how AFM is configured to build a network firewall and to detect and protect against DoS (Denial of Service) attacks. Reporting and log facilities are also explained and used in the course labs. Further Firewall functionality and additional DoS facilities for DNS and SIP traffic are discussed.

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: AFM Overview

AFM Overview
AFM Availability
AFM and the BIG-IP Security Menu

Chapter 3: Network Firewall

AFM Firewalls
Contexts
Modes
Packet Processing
Rules and Direction
Rules, Contexts, and Processing
Inline Rule Editor
Configuring Network Firewall
Network Firewall Rules and Policies
Network Firewall Rule Creation
Identifying Traffic by Region with Geolocation
Identifying Redundant and Conflicting Rules
Identifying Stale Rules
Prebuilding Firewall Rules with Lists and Schedules
Rule Lists
Address Lists
Port Lists
Schedules
Network Firewall Policies
Policy Status and Management
Other Rule Actions
Redirecting Traffic with Send to Virtual
Checking Rule Processing with Packet Tester
Examining Connections with Flow Inspector

Chapter 4: Logs

Event Logs
Logging Profiles
Limiting Log Messages with Log Throttling
Enabling Logging in Firewall Rules
BIG-IP Logging Mechanisms
Log Publisher
Log Destination
Logging Global Rule Events
Log Configuration Changes
QKView and Log Files
SNMP MIB
SNMP Traps

Chapter 5: IP Intelligence

Overview
IP Intelligence Policy
Feature 1: Dynamic White and Blacklists
Blacklist Categories
Feed Lists
Applying an IP Intelligence Policy
IP Intelligence Log Profile
IP Intelligence Reporting
Troubleshooting IP Intelligence Lists
Feature 2: IP Intelligence Database
Licensing
Installation
Linking the Database to the IP Intelligence Policy
Troubleshooting
IP Intelligence iRules

Chapter 6: DoS Protection

Denial of Service and DoS Protection Overview
Device DoS Protection
Configuring Device DoS Protection
Variant 1 DoS Vectors
Variant 2 DoS Vectors
Automatic Configuration or Automatic Thresholds
Variant 3 DoS Vectors
Device DoS Profiles
DoS Protection Profile
Dynamic Signatures
Dynamic Signatures Configuration
DoS iRules

Chapter 7: Reports

AFM Reporting Facilities Overview
Examining the Status of Particular AFM Features
Exporting the Data
Managing the Reporting Settings
Scheduling Reports
Troubleshooting Scheduled Reports
Examining AFM Status at High Level
Mini Reporting Windows (Widgets)
Building Custom Widgets
Deleting and Restoring Widgets
Dashboards

Chapter 8: DoS White Lists

Bypassing DoS Checks with White Lists
Configuring DoS White Lists
tmsh options
Per Profile Whitelist Address List

Chapter 9: DoS Sweep Flood Protection

Isolating Bad Clients with Sweep Flood
Configuring Sweep Flood

Chapter 10: IP Intelligence Shun

Overview
Manual Configuration
Dynamic Configuration
IP Intelligence Policy
tmsh options
Troubleshooting
Extending the Shun Feature
Route this Traffic to Nowhere - Remotely Triggered Black Hole
Route this Traffic for Further Processing - Scrubber

Chapter 11: DNS Firewall

Filtering DNS Traffic with DNS Firewall
Configuring DNS Firewall
DNS Query Types
DNS Opcode Types
Logging DNS Firewall Events
Troubleshooting

Chapter 12: DNS DoS

Overview
DNS DoS
Configuring DNS DoS
DoS Protection Profile
Device DoS and DNS

Chapter 13: SIP DoS

Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
Transactions and Dialogs
SIP DoS Configuration
DoS Protection Profile
Device DoS and SIP

Chapter 14: Port Misuse

Overview
Port Misuse and Service Policies
Building a Port Misuse Policy
Attaching a Service Policy
Creating a Log Profile

Chapter 15: Network Firewall iRules

Overview
iRule Events
Configuration
When to use iRules
More Information

Chapter 16: Recap

BIG-IP Architecture and Traffic Flow
AFM Packet Processing Overview

Chapter 17: Additional Training and Certification

Getting Started Series Web-Based Training
F5 Instructor Led Training Curriculum
F5 Professional Certification Program

Course objectives

Learn how to deploy and operate BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager to protect a data center against incoming threats that enter the network at layers 3 and 4 on common protocols including HTTP, SIP, SSH, SSL, and others. Using a mix of lectures and hands-on lab exploration, gain experience implementing comprehensive protection against attacks from rapidly changing IP addresses by applying the latest threat intelligence, and by anticipating, detecting, and responding to attacks before they hit data center targets. Practice using hardware-based DDoS mitigation that scales to prevent high-volume, targeted, network flood attacks—while allowing legitimate traffic to flow without compromising performance or degrading the user experience. Observe malicious network activity in real time as you assume the role of an attacker.

F5 recognizes the importance of visibility, analytics, and reporting regarding attack evolution, attack mitigation, and overall firewall health. Plenty of time is dedicated to analyzing reports. Learn how to retrieve clear, concise, and actionable information highlighting attacks and trends with detailed drill-down and page-view capabilities.

Who should attend?

This course is intended for system and network administrators responsible for the configuration and ongoing administration of a BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) system.

Prerequisites

Students must complete one of the following F5 prerequisites before attending this course:

Administering BIG-IP (ILT)
F5 Certified BIG-IP Administrator

Suggested Prework

The following free Self-Directed Training (SDT) courses, although optional, are helpful for any student with limited BIG-IP administration and configuration experience:

Getting Started with BIG-IP
Getting Started with Local Traffic Manager (LTM)
Getting Started with BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM)

General network technology knowledge and experience are recommended before attending any F5 Global Training Services instructor-led course, including OSI model encapsulation, routing and switching, Ethernet and ARP, TCP/IP concepts, IP addressing and subnetting, NAT and private IP addressing, NAT and private IP addressing, default gateway, network firewalls, and LAN vs. WAN.