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rabid_gerbil_26's avatar
rabid_gerbil_26
Icon for Cirrus rankCirrus
Mar 29, 2017

Why upgrade to F5 BIG-IP LTM version 13?

Out current version of our F5 BIG-IP LTM appliances are all v11.x (latest availalble). I've been trying to evaluate the new full version upgrades of v12.x & v13.x and validate why I should suggest to my company that we would benefit by upgrading our v11.x F5s to v13.x.

 

Does anyone have an opinion on why we should upgrade or what know of benefits we would receive from upgrading to v13.x?

 

A little background, we have 3 physical appliances, 2 VE appliances. We only utilize the LTM portion of the F5s and don't utilize any other feature, i.e. GTM, AAM, or APM.

 

Thanks...

 

BIG-IP
devops
LTM

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  • BigD_300005's avatar
    BigD_300005
    Icon for Cirrostratus rankCirrostratus
    Mar 29, 2017

    I did talk to someone that will remain nameless with F5 that didn't see any reasons for moving to v13 at this time. However, if you are still on version 11, you'll probably find an easier reason to upgrade to v12.

     

    https://support.f5.com/kb/en-us/products/big-ip_ltm/releasenotes/product/relnote-ltm-12-0-0.htmlrn_new

     

    Also want to recommend that you should probably wait for at least one hot fix to come out for v13 before even considering the upgrade.

     

    • rabid_gerbil_26's avatar
      rabid_gerbil_26
      Icon for Cirrus rankCirrus
      Mar 29, 2017

      Thank you for your feedback.

       

      While I did research upgrading to v12 as well, it seems to me that most of the major changes made in 12 were made to the GTM product and not necessarily to the LTM product (I could also be completely wrong in my interpretations of the RN for 12).

       

      There are benefits to moving to 12 however I'm trying to weight all my options. If I suggest we move to 12 vs 13, I must show my reason. Same rule applies for staying on 11 or moving to 13.

       

    • BigD_300005's avatar
      BigD_300005
      Icon for Cirrostratus rankCirrostratus
      Mar 29, 2017

      If you are looking at the what is new for both v12 and v13 and you're not seeing any reasons, then you have no reasons. You are the only one here who really knows your network and what it requires or uses. I could speak for days about v12 and "x" feature but it wouldn't help you any as you don't use "x" for example.

       

    • rabid_gerbil_26's avatar
      rabid_gerbil_26
      Icon for Cirrus rankCirrus
      Mar 29, 2017

      Yes I agree, I suppose this question is a bit larger than just a simple yes you should vs no you shouldn't. I more curious about you and/or others take on why upgrading to v12 or v13 was a decision you made. Sometimes people upgrade to upgrade... but most of the time upgrades are due to certain reasons.

       

      I am reading through both the 12 & 13 RN and system guides, along with opinions from others such as yourself. Trying to determine if we would benefit from upgrading or if we would be upgrading to just upgrade.

       

      I truly appreciate you taking the time to answer and express your thoughts and opinions.

       

  • Stanislas_Piro2's avatar
    Stanislas_Piro2
    Icon for Cumulonimbus rankCumulonimbus
    Mar 29, 2017

    Hi,

     

    I recommend version 12.1.2

     

    Interesting LTM features are:

     

    • HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) functionality (Can be done with an irule in version 11.X)
    • Local Trafic policy redesign
    • iRuleXL enhanced
    • HTTP/2 support

    do not install version X.0.0 except if one feature is missing on the previous version.

     

  • Dave_Hergert's avatar
    Dave_Hergert
    Icon for Nimbostratus rankNimbostratus
    Jan 24, 2019

    David - as of today, the article says its in draft so doesn't display anything.