F5 Networks is a leading application delivery, security, and availability solutions provider. F5’s robust product portfolio enables organizations to optimize, secure, and scale their applications. Let’s take a look at some of F5’s significant offerings:
Application Delivery Controllers (ADCs)
F5’s ADC lineup includes platforms like Big-IP and VIPRION used for application traffic management. Key ADC products include:
- Local Traffic Manager (LTM) – Load balances incoming requests across application servers. Also provides health monitoring, SSL offloading, caching, and application-level security.
- Access Policy Manager (APM) – Provides secure remote access via VPN and identity/access management. Integrates with directories like AD, SAML, OIDC.
- Advanced Firewall Manager (AFM) – Network firewall capability to protect applications. Provides DDoS mitigation, IP intelligence, and more.
- Application Security Manager (ASM) – Protects web applications by blocking vulnerabilities like SQLi, XSS, etc. It also provides web scraping and bot mitigation tools.
Management and Analytics
F5 offers management and analytics platforms for visibility into infrastructure, networks, and applications:
- BIG-IQ Centralized Management – Manages F5 devices and ensures consistent policies across the application delivery infrastructure.
- Application Visibility and Reporting (AVR) – Provides insights into the performance, security, and usage of applications and networks.
- Carrier-Grade NAT (CGNAT) – Enables large-scale NAT deployments for mobile and fixed-line carriers. Reduces IPv4 exhaustion.
DDoS Hybrid Defender
F5’s hybrid DDoS prevention solution uses on-prem DDoS mitigation combined with cloud scrubbing centers for volumetric DDoS attack protection.
Silverline Cloud-Based Services
F5 Silverline offers cloud-based application security and delivery services, including:
- Web Application Firewall (WAF) – Cloud WAF to protect web applications.
- DDoS Protection – Cloud scrubbing to protect against volumetric DDoS attacks.
- Application Security – Protects apps from vulnerabilities like OWASP Top 10 and zero days.
Distributed Cloud XC
F5 Distributed Cloud XC is a platform that provides consistent application services across on-premises, public cloud, and edge environments. Key capabilities include:
- Multi-cloud load balancing – Intelligent traffic steering across hybrid/multi-cloud deployments.
- Service discovery – Automatic service discovery and connectivity between app components.
- App security – Web app and API protection across distributed infrastructures.
- Carrier-grade NAT – High-capacity NAT to support 5G and reduce IPv4 address consumption.
- Edge compute – Local app delivery and security services at the network edge.