The vRealize Operations Management Pack for F5 BIG-IP requires a connection to the Management IP or DNS name for the monitored BIG-IP system. When configuring the Adapter for collections this IP or hostname is entered as the “Host” value.
When monitoring standalone BIG-IP systems this configuration is straightforward, but to allow the Management Pack to continue to collect during a cluster (DSC) failover, a floating management IP must be used. When the management IP is configured to float with a configured traffic group, a single IP or hostname can be used for a group of systems configured for High Availability.
To create a floating management IP, follow the steps below:
-
Navigate to the active BIG-IP system and login to the management console and configuration utility (TMUI). This action may require admin role privileges.
-
Select Network from the Main tab and then Self IPs. Select Create…
-
Enter a Name for the new self IP, an IP Address and Netmask combination, and set the VLAN / Tunnel option to external. If the vlan is not labeled, use the VLAN configured for the Management IP subnet.
-
Set the Port Lockdown selection to Allow Custom. Select the Port button and define enter the protocol used for the management interface. (Default value of 443) Click Add to add this port to the TCP and the UDP Custom List.
-
For the Traffic Group selection, select the floating traffic group used between the BIG-IP systems.
-
Click Finished to save the New Self IP configuration.
To test the newly configured floating management IP, open a web browser used to access the BIG-IP management console. Enter the URL for the management console into the web browser. If configured properly, you will be prompted with the login screen for the BIG-IP system that is Online and Active in that device group.
To use a defined hostname, add a DNS record for the desired hostname using the newly created floating management IP address.
For additional assistance around this configuration, please contact VMware support.
