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AlgebraicMirror's avatar
AlgebraicMirror
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Sep 03, 2015
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Version 12 Question - Where is the documentation on the node.js/iRule LX features, and what are they?

I just put version 12 onto a lab F5 to look at, and I'm noticing a bunch of iRules LX (language extensions) features that seem to be added. They seem to include node.js as part of iRules. I don't see these language extension features referenced in the release notes anywhere though. Can anyone explain what these are and how one would use them? Is this another language to write iRules in?

 

If someone could point me to whatever documentation exists it would be most appreciated.

 

Here is a screenshot of the features in question:

 

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  • Eric_Flores_131's avatar
    Eric_Flores_131
    Sep 04, 2015

    So I'll quote the same answer Jason Rahm put on the other thread about iRulesLX -

     

    iRulesLX is a language extension to iRules, the first iteration being Node.js. In 12.0, it is an Early Access feature, which requires an add-on license to function.

     

    Even though you will be able to provision, configure, and attach iRulesLX configuration to the virtual servers, it will not work without an EA license.

     

    Some points of clarification to the questions on and comments.

     

    The TCL-based iRules are not in any way going away. The LX is an extension of the existing iRules platform, not a replacement. It is not a standalone platform whereas you choose iRules or iRulesLX. The Node.js platform is called from iRules with an init command.

     

    We will have a release plan for articles on use cases and architectural considerations as iRulesLX transitions from early access to general availability.

     

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  • Walter_Kacynski's avatar
    Walter_Kacynski
    Icon for Cirrostratus rankCirrostratus
    Sep 03, 2015

    My understanding is that under version 12 iRules LX is an Early Access feature and not meant for Production. As such, I'm not surprised that this wasn't present in any announcement letters or documentation. Because of the fact that you are running a lab license probably entitles you to this configuration. However in a fully licensed deployment I don't believe that this would be available unless you got a special license key.

     

  • Johnny_Schmidt_'s avatar
    Johnny_Schmidt_
    Historic F5 Account
    Sep 03, 2015

    ILX is an early access feature in v12, so there are no official release documents, and the feature does not work if you do not have the appropriate EA license. Your account team should be able to provide any information if you are interested in the feature.

     

  • Algebraic_Mirror's avatar
    Algebraic_Mirror
    Icon for Cirrostratus rankCirrostratus
    Sep 03, 2015

    I'm not interested in running it in production yet, I'm just mostly interested in the purpose of the feature. I'm especially interested in answering this question: Is this an alternate language to write iRules in? Or is this just some kind of supplemental thing so that you can call traffic manipulation features that might be in node.js from a standard TCL iRule? Is TCL going to be phased out over time? Also, is this related to the Line Rate purchase that happened a while back?

     

    Inquiring minds want to know! :)

     

  • Walter_Kacynski's avatar
    Walter_Kacynski
    Icon for Cirrostratus rankCirrostratus
    Sep 03, 2015

    iRules LX (Language Extension) is really additional functionality to extend TCL based iRules. You can use nodeJs modules from npm to perform additional processing logic. LX calls would be invoked from a normal TCL based iRule which have no plans to be removed.

     

  • Eric_Flores_131's avatar
    Eric_Flores_131
    Icon for Cirrostratus rankCirrostratus
    Sep 04, 2015

    Just out of curiosity, what type of license are you running? Is it the VE-LAB edition ?

     

    • AlgebraicMirror's avatar
      AlgebraicMirror
      Icon for Altostratus rankAltostratus
      Sep 04, 2015
      No, it's one of those 45 day evaluation licenses that can run pretty much every feature.
  • Eric_Flores_131's avatar
    Eric_Flores_131
    Icon for Cirrostratus rankCirrostratus
    Sep 04, 2015

    So I'll quote the same answer Jason Rahm put on the other thread about iRulesLX -

     

    iRulesLX is a language extension to iRules, the first iteration being Node.js. In 12.0, it is an Early Access feature, which requires an add-on license to function.

     

    Even though you will be able to provision, configure, and attach iRulesLX configuration to the virtual servers, it will not work without an EA license.

     

    Some points of clarification to the questions on and comments.

     

    The TCL-based iRules are not in any way going away. The LX is an extension of the existing iRules platform, not a replacement. It is not a standalone platform whereas you choose iRules or iRulesLX. The Node.js platform is called from iRules with an init command.

     

    We will have a release plan for articles on use cases and architectural considerations as iRulesLX transitions from early access to general availability.