The F5 Guy

To use an iRule or to NOT use an iRule?  It seems like a simple question when first asked doesn’t it?  Yet when you reflect upon what you are really saying when you answer that question, you will realize a lot of thought should go into the answer.

TMOS is gaining a wealth of new functionality with each release and word of what you can achieve through using iRules is spreading even to those unfamiliar with the BIG-IP product line.  I have personally seen this discussion pop up more than once and we even grappled with it at the MVP Summit in Chicago. 

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I have had the pleasure and honor of attending the DevCentral MVP Summit that was held in Chicago over the last few days and I am just blown away at how awesome it was.  Even the picture on the right doesn’t do it justice!

Whew!

The folks over at F5 Networks did an amazing job of putting together an outstanding series of events and the DevCentral folks put together one heck of a summit for all of us MVP’s.  I had such an outstanding time I want to extend my thanks to all of you involved and to all of my fellow MVP members.

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Time and time again I am amazed at how powerful and flexible iRules can be. I have seen a few posts on DevCentral requesting help with creating iRules that rewrite or redirect traffic without updating the clients browser and I thought it might be fun to provide a few examples of how to do this.

One way to do this is called transparent header modification. How it works is a user will enter a URL in their browser such as “www.mycompany.com/bus/”, the request will come in to your BIG-IP and the information sent to your web servers can be redirected or rewritten to whatever you like. Here is an example:

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I setup Live Meeting Portal Server the other day and wanted to share a few things that are not mentioned in Microsoft’s documentation.  The BIG-IP portion of this configuration is super easy, but it is understanding how both the application and the BIG-IP work together that can be the hardest part of any deployment.

Setting Up BIG-IP and Live Meeting Portal Server

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Like a lot folks around the country I pre-ordered a 32 GIG iPad a few weeks ago and have been waiting eagerly to check out the new device.  I already have two Apple branded products in the house, so it was easy for me to drink the Kool-Aid and purchase another .

However, I was very disappointed with Apple on the day that I finally received my iPad.  I had updated my MacBook the night before and ensured it was ready to go, only to have my hard drive crash moments before I was able to sync up my new iPad!  There I was sitting in my cubicle at work shaking my fists in the air and screaming “NOooooo!!!!” In my mind anyways…

Well all was not lost and I do mean that literally.  I had my data backed up, but I did have to send the MacBook in for repair.  Thankfully I was still covered under my Apple Care plan.  As it turns out, I also received a new logic board, heat pipe assembly and top case replacement.  Evidently the now three year old MacBook had more wrong with it than I had guessed.

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