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Manual Chapter : Using the Diameter Configuration Wizard

Applies To:

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BIG-IP LTM

  • 16.0.1, 16.0.0
Manual Chapter

Using the Diameter Configuration Wizard

Overview: Diameter Configuration Wizard

The Diameter Configuration Wizard provides a simple, straightforward way to configure Diameter message routing functionality for Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) support, load balancing, AVP transformation, and session management. Additionally, Diameter message routing functionality supports high availability (HA) functionality.
You can use this wizard to quickly configure the following functions.
Diameter Configuration Wizard functions
Function
Description
Routing
Specifies the routing table configuration to support Diameter functionality, including the routing decision parameters (such as Diameter protocol, expression test, and action associated with a matched expression).
Transformations
Enables you to insert, modify, or delete Attribute Value Pairs (AVPs) in Diameter messages.
Session Management
Specifies a session timeout value, as well as session binding parameters for master-only persistence and master-slave persistence.
System Configuration
Specifies the system configuration used to support Diameter functionality, including the following:
  • Virtual Servers. Specifies an applicable virtual server (including virtual server name, Diameter configuration, virtual IP address, port number, client transport protocol, and description).
  • Nodes. Specifies local traffic node parameters (including a node name, address, and description).
  • Pools. Specifies local traffic pool settings (including pool name, description, pool members, and port number), protocol, and multihoming settings (including alternative source IP addresses).
  • Routing Destinations. Specifies routing destination parameters (including a destination, pool selection mode, and pool).
  • List of Values. Specifies a list of values (including a list name, description, and values) that can be referenced in transformation rules.
  • Advanced diameter configuration. Specifies Diameter configuration settings associated with a name.
  • Router configuration. Specifies the MRF router configuration default settings.
Dictionaries
Enables you to manage Diameter dictionaries.
You must use a Chrome browser when setting up and using the Diameter Configuration Wizard. Browsers other than Chrome are not currently supported.
Workflow messages appear in the yellow banner to help guide you during the configuration of Diameter message routing functionality.

About setting up the Diameter Configuration Wizard

When you set up the Diameter Configuration Wizard, you need to complete the following actions:
  • Download the Diameter Configuration Wizard RPM package from the F5 Downloads site.
  • Import the downloaded file into iApps Package Management LX.
You must use a Chrome browser when setting up and using the Diameter Configuration Wizard. Browsers other than Chrome are not currently supported.

Download the Diameter Configuration Wizard RPM package

You can download the latest Diameter Configuration Wizard RPM package from F5 Networks.
  1. Log in to the F5 Downloads site,
    https://downloads.f5.com
    , and click the
    Find a Download
     button.
  2. Click the name of the product line.
    To download the Diameter Configuration Wizard RPM package, click the product line
    iAppLX Templates
    .
  3. Click the name of the version of the product you want to download.
    The name appears as
    iAppLX_Templates
     and the version appears as
    iAppLX
    .
  4. Read the End User License Agreement, and click the
    I Accept
     button if you agree with the terms.
    The Select a Download screen appears.
  5. Click the name of the file you want to download.
    The Diameter Configuration Wizard RPM package is named
    diameterConfigurationWizard-xx.x.x-x.xx.x.xxx.noarch.rpm
    .
The latest Diameter Configuration Wizard file is downloaded from F5 Networks.

Import the Diameter Configuration Wizard RPM package

You can import the latest Diameter Configuration Wizard RPM package onto a BIG-IP system.
  1. Log on to the command line of the system using the root account.
  2. Type the following command to enable iApps LX controls.
    touch /var/config/rest/iapps/enable
  3. Type the following command to restart
    restjavad
    .
    bigstart restart restjavad
  4. Open the BIG-IP Configuration utility.
  5. On the Main tab, click
    iApps
    Package Management LX
    .
    The Package Management LX screen appears.
  6. Click
    Import
    .
  7. For the
    File Name
     setting, click
    Browse
     to navigate to the Diameter Configuration Wizard RPM package, and then click
    Open
     to upload the package.
    The Diameter Configuration Wizard RPM package is named
    diameterConfigurationWizard-xx.x.x-x.xx.x.xxx.noarch.rpm
    .
  8. Click
    Upload
    .
    The Diameter Configuration Wizard RPM package uploads to the Applications Service List screen.
The latest Diameter configuration wizard file is imported and available on the Applications LX screen.

Open the Diameter Configuration Wizard

Before you can open the Diameter Configuration Wizard, you need to set up the wizard in the iApps LX interface.
After you set up the Diameter Configuration Wizard in the iApps LX intereface, you can open the wizard to configure Diameter message routing functionality.
  1. On the Main tab, click
    iApps
    Application Services
    Applications LX
    .
    The Application Service List screen opens.
  2. Click the name of a Diameter application.
    The default iApps LX Diameter application is
    Diameter Configuration Wizard
    .
The Diameter Configuration Wizard is open and available for configuration.

About the Diameter system configuration

The Diameter Configuration Wizard System Configuration tab enables you to configure virtual servers, nodes, pools, routing destinations, and a list of values for Diameter functionality.
You must use a Chrome browser when setting up and using the Diameter Configuration Wizard. Browsers other than Chrome are not currently supported.

Configure a Diameter virtual server

Before you configure a Diameter virtual server, you need to configure the appropriate destination nodes and pools, and also create a Diameter configuration.
You can configure a Diameter virtual server to use a client transport protocol, and SCTP multihoming for Diameter clients.
Do not click
Save
 until you have configured all Diameter functions. If you click
Save
 before configuring all Diameter functions, an error might occur.
  1. In the Diameter Configuration Wizard, click the System Configuration tab, and then click the Virtual Servers tab.
    The Virtual Servers screen opens.
  2. In
    Virtual Server Name
    , type the name of the virtual server.
  3. In the
    Diameter Configuration
     field, select the created Diameter configuration.
  4. In the
    Virtual IP
     box, type the IP address for the virtual server.
  5. Type the
    Port Number
    for the virtual server.
  6. From the
    Client Transport Protocol
     list, select one of these protocols to use with Diameter clients.
    • TCP
    • SCTP
    • TLS/TCP
  7. Click
    More Options
    .
  8. Type a
    Description
    .
  9. Configure SCTP multihoming functionality for Diameter clients.
    1. Select the
      Enable Multihoming
       check box.
    2. For
      Alternative Destination IPs
      , type the address for an alternative BIG-IP system destination that a client can use.
    3. For each additional
      Alternative Destination IPs
       address, click the plus (
      +
      ) button to add the destination IP address, as necessary.
  10. Click
    Add Virtual Server
     to configure an additional Diameter virtual server, as necessary.
A Diameter virtual server is configured to use a client transport protocol, and SCTP multihoming functionality for Diameter clients.

Configure a Diameter node

You can configure the properties of Diameter destination nodes for pools. Note that a destination node can include multiple active user sessions.
Do not click
Save
 until you have configured all Diameter functions. If you click
Save
 before configuring all Diameter functions, an error might occur.
  1. In the Diameter Configuration Wizard, click the System Configuration tab, and then click the Nodes tab.
    The Nodes screen opens.
  2. In the
    Node Name
     field, type the name for the node.
  3. In the
    Address
     field, type the address for the node.
  4. In the
    Description
     field, type a description for the node.
  5. Click
    Add Node
     to configure an additional node, as necessary.
The Diameter destination nodes are configured, and available to assign to a pool.

Configure a Diameter pool

Before you configure a Diameter pool, you need to configure the appropriate destination nodes.
In a basic Diameter message routing configuration, you can define a routing pool that contains Diameter servers as its members, specify a protocol to use with Diameter servers, and configure multihoming destination IP addresses.
Do not click
Save
 until you have configured all Diameter functions. If you click
Save
 before configuring all Diameter functions, an error might occur.
If a peer specifies a pool without pool members, the message is unroutable.
  1. In the Diameter Configuration Wizard, click the System Configuration tab, and then click the Pools tab.
    The Pools screen opens.
  2. In the
    Pool Name
     field, type the name of the pool.
  3. In the
    Description
     field, type a description for the pool.
  4. Add the applicable pool member destination nodes to the pool.
    1. Click the
      Show Pool Members
       button.
    2. For each pool member, click the
      Add Pool Member
       plus (
      +
      ) button.
    3. From the
      Pool Members
       list, select a pool member destination node.
    4. In the
      Port Number
       box, type the port number.
  5. Click
    More Options
    .
  6. From the
    Protocol
     list, select one of the following protocols to use with Diameter servers.
    • TCP
    • SCTP
    • TLS/TCP
  7. Configure SCTP multihoming functionality for Diameter servers.
    1. Select the
      Enable Multihoming
       check box.
    2. For
      Alternative Source IPs
      , type the address for an alternative BIG-IP system destination address that a server can use.
    3. For each additional
      Alternative Source IPs
       address, click the plus (
      +
      ) button to add the source IP address, as necessary.
  8. Click
    Add Pool
     to configure an additional Diameter pool, as necessary.
A Diameter message routing configuration is complete, including a routing pool that contains Diameter servers as its members, a protocol to use with Diameter servers, and SCTP multihoming destination IP addresses.

Configure Diameter routing destinations

To configure Diameter static routing destinations, you must first configure the applicable destination nodes and pools.
You can configure one or more static routing destinations for a Diameter application, specifying a destination address and a pool selection mode, comprising one or more pools.
Do not click
Save
 until you have configured all Diameter functions. If you click
Save
 before configuring all Diameter functions, an error might occur.
  1. In the Diameter Configuration Wizard, click the System Configuration tab, and then click the Routing Destinations tab.
    The Routing Destinations screen opens.
  2. In
    Destination
    , type an address for the static route destination.
  3. From the
    Pool Selection Mode
     list, select one of these settings:
    Setting
    Description
    By Precedence
    Specifies a sequential selection of pools based on availability. If only one pool is specified, the virtual server directs all traffic to it. If two or more pools are specified, the virtual server sends traffic to the next pool in the specified sequence (top to bottom) when the nodes in the preceding pool are down.
    By Percents
    Specifies a percentage of traffic for each specified pool. If only one pool is specified, the virtual server directs all traffic to it. If two or more pools are specified, the virtual server manages traffic sent to each pool in accordance with the specified percentage. You can drag the slider bar to specify a percentage for a pool.
  4. From the
    Pools
     list, select a Diameter pool.
  5. Click
    Add Pool
     to specify an additional pool for the routing destination, as necessary.
  6. For each pool, specify the mode:
    Pool Selection Mode
    Steps
    By Precedence
    • In the Pools area, from the
      Pools
       list, sequentially select each pool, from top to bottom.
    By Percents
    • In the Pools area, for each selected pool, choose to either:
      • Drag the slider bar for each selected pool to specify the applicable percentage of traffic.
      • In the percent box, type the applicable percentage of traffic.
  7. Click
    Add Destination
     to add another routing destination, as necessary.
One or more Diameter static routing destinations are configured to manage traffic in accordance with a destination name and a pool selection mode, comprising one or more pools.

Configure a Diameter list of values

You can create a list composed of unique values and apply them in a routing decision to an Attribute Value Pairs (AVP) with a string-format output.
Do not click
Save
 until you have configured all Diameter functions. If you click
Save
 before configuring all Diameter functions, an error might occur.
  1. In the Diameter Configuration Wizard, click the System Configuration tab, and then click the List of Values tab.
  2. In the
    List Name
     field, type a name for the list.
  3. In the
    Description
     field, type a unique description for the list of values.
  4. Click
    Show List of Values
    .
  5. In the
    List of Values
     field, type a value.
  6. To specify an additional value for the list, in the
    Add Values
     area, click the plus (
    +
    ) button, and then, in the
    List of Values
     field, type a value.
  7. Click
    Add List
     to configure an additional list, as necessary.
A list of values is available.

Configure an advanced Diameter configuration

You can create advanced Diameter configurations and assign them to virtual servers.
Do not click
Save
 until after configuring all Diameter settings. If you click
Save
 before configuring all Diameter settings, an error may occur.
  1. In the Diameter Configuration Wizard, click the System Configuration tab, and then click the Advanced Diameter Configuration tab.
    By default, a
    Default Configuration
     is available.
  2. Click the plus (
    +
    ) button to edit the configuration.
  3. From the Virtual Servers tab, attach the configuration to a virtual server.
  4. Click the
    Add Configuration
     button to create an additional Diameter configuration.
  5. In the
    Diameter Configuration Name
     field, type a name for the additional Diameter configuration.

Configure a default MRF router configuration

You can configure certain Diameter features (example: per-peer statistics) in the Router Configuration tab.
Do not click
Save
 until after configuring all Diameter settings. If you click
Save
 before configuring all Diameter settings, an error may occur.
  1. In the Diameter Configuration Wizard, click the System Configuration tab, and then click the Router Configuration tab.
    By default, a
    Default Configuration
     is available.
  2. Click the plus (
    +
    ) button to edit the configuration.
    There is no option to create any additional configurations.

About configuring Diameter routing

The Diameter Configuration Wizard Routing tab enables you to configure routing decisions. Routing decisions specify the protocol conditions and associated actions assigned to a virtual server.

Configure a Diameter routing decision

To assign a Diameter routing decision to a virtual server for SCTP server-side multihoming, you must first configure an applicable virtual server.
You can configure one or more routing decisions for a Diameter application to use SCTP server-side multihoming, specifying the protocol conditions and associated actions assigned to a virtual server.
  1. In the Diameter Configuration Wizard, click the Routing tab.
    The Routing screen opens.
  2. From the
    All Virtual Servers
     list, select the virtual server to which you want to assign the routing decision.
    The default is
    All Virtual Servers
    .
  3. In the Default Route area, from the
    Action
     list, select an action.
  4. From the
    Destination
     list, select a destination.
    Depending upon the Action that you select, the Destination list and associated paramenters might not appear.
  5. Click
    More Options
    .
  6. Type a
    Description
    .
  7. In the
    Origin Host
     field, type an identifier for the originating server, for example,
    siteserver.f5.com
    .
    If the
    Origin Host
     setting is not specified, the BIG-IP system host is used.
    To display the
    Origin Host
     field, from the Action list, select
    Reject
    ,
    Redirect
    , or
    Terminate
    .
  8. In the
    Origin Realm
     field, type the origin realm matching the Origin-Realm AVP value in the message.
    A blank value routes all origin-realms.
    To display the
    Origin Realm
     field, from the Action list, select
    Reject
    ,
    Redirect
    , or
    Terminate
    .
  9. Click
    Add
     to configure an additional routing decision, as necessary.
    Controls to configure a protocol, its attributes, and an associated action open.
  10. From the
    Protocol
     list, select a protocol.
  11. From the
    Attribute
     list, select a heading.
  12. From the
    Expression
     list, select an expression.
  13. For the
    Value
     setting, specify a value for the expression:
    • From the
      Value
       list, select a value for the expression.
    • In the
      Value
       box, type a value for the expression.
  14. From the
    Action
     list, select an action.
  15. From the
    Destination
     list, select a destination.
    Depending upon the Action that you select, the Destination list and associated paramenters might not appear.
  16. Click
    More Options
    , and then, in the
    Description
     field, type a description for the configured routing decision.
  17. In the
    Origin Host
     field, type an identifier for the originating server, for example,
    siteserver.f5.com
    .
    If the
    Origin Host
     setting is not specified, the BIG-IP system host is used.
    To display the
    Origin Host
     field, from the Action list, select
    Reject
    ,
    Redirect
    , or
    Terminate
    .
  18. In the
    Origin Realm
     field, type the origin realm matching the Origin-Realm AVP value in the message.
    A blank value routes all origin-realms.
    To display the
    Origin Realm
     field, from the Action list, select
    Reject
    ,
    Redirect
    , or
    Terminate
    .
A routing decision is configured, specifying the protocol conditions and associated actions assigned to a virtual server.

About configuring Diameter transformations

The Diameter Configuration Wizard Transformations tab enables you to insert, modify, or delete Attribute Value Pairs (AVPs).
You must use a Chrome browser when setting up and using the Diameter Configuration Wizard. Browsers other than Chrome are not currently supported.

Configure a Diameter transformation

You can configure the transformation of Attribute Value Pairs (AVPs) by using the Transformations tab, preventing exposure of server topologies.
  1. In the Diameter Configuration Wizard, click the Transformations tab.
    The Transformation screen opens.
  2. From the
    All Virtual Servers
     list, select the virtual server to which you want to assign the transformation.
    The default is
    All Virtual Servers
    .
  3. From the
    Protocol
     list, select a protocol.
  4. From the
    Attribute
     list, select an attribute.
  5. From the
    Expression
     list, select an expression.
  6. For the
    Value
     setting, specify a value for the expression:
    • From the
      Value
       list, select a value for the expression.
    • In the
      Value
       box, type a value for the expression.
  7. For each additional
    Attribute
    , click the plus (
    +
    ) button to add the parameters, as necessary.
  8. From the
    Operation
     list, select an operation.
  9. From the
    Attribute
     list for the operation, select a protocol attribute.
  10. For the
    Value
     setting, specify a value for the expression:
    • From the
      Value
       list, select a value for the expression.
    • In the
      Value
       box, type a value for the expression.
  11. For each additional
    Operation
    , click the plus (
    +
    ) button to add the parameters, as necessary.
  12. Click
    More Options
    .
  13. Type a
    Description
     for the transformation.
  14. Select the check box for each transformation that you want to enable, and then click
    Enable
    .
The AVP transformations are configured, preventing exposure of server topologies

About Diameter session management

The Diameter Configuration Wizard Session Management tab enables you to configure the session management and session binding for Diameter functionality.
You must use a Chrome browser when setting up and using the Diameter Configuration Wizard. Browsers other than Chrome are not currently supported.

Configure Diameter session management

A session management configuration provides a session timeout setting and session binding settings that you can apply to master-only or master-slave persistence sessions.
  1. In the Diameter Configuration Wizard, click the Session Management tab.
    The Session Management screen opens.
  2. Select the
    Session Management
     check box.
  3. In
    Session Timeout
    , type a timeout value for the session persistence, in minutes.
  4. Select the
    Session Binding
     check box to configure a primary-only or a primary-secondary persistence session.
  5. In the Master Session area, from the
    Protocol
     list, select a protocol.
  6. From the
    AVP
     list, select an AVP attribute to apply to the master session.
  7. In the Slave Sessions area, from the
    Protocol
     list, select a protocol.
  8. From the
    AVP to use for resolving
     list, select an AVP attribute.
    For Master-Slave persistence, the specified AVP value for a Slave session must match the specified AVP value for a Master session, in order for the Slave messages to be routed according to a different protocol interface for a Master session.
  9. From the
    AVP to use in Master Session for persistence
     list, select an AVP attribute.
    The default setting is
    Same as Slave session AVP
    .
  10. Click
    Add Row
     to add another slave session protocol configuration, as necessary.
  11. Click
    Save
     to save the session management configuration.
A session management configuration is available to provide a session timeout and session binding for master-only or master-slave persistence sessions.

About Diameter dictionaries

The Diameter Configuration Wizard Dictionaries tab enables you to easily manage each 3GPP protocol interface Diameter dictionary. You can modify, download, upload, rename, and delete dictionary files, as necessary.
You must use a Chrome browser when setting up and using the Diameter Configuration Wizard. Browsers other than Chrome are not currently supported.

Modify a Diameter dictionary file

You can modify a Diameter dictionary file to add proprietary AVPs, as necessary.
  1. In the Diameter Configuration Wizard, click the Dictionaries tab.
    The Dictionaries screen opens.
  2. Click the name of a dictionary XML file to download the file.
    The XML file downloads to the workstation.
  3. Open the dictionary XML file in an editor application, modify the content as necessary, and save the file.
  4. Click
    Upload
    , click
    Browse
     to navigate to the modified dictionary XML file, and then click
    Open
     to upload the modified dictionary XML file.
The Diameter dictionary file is modified and available for use.

Download a Diameter dictionary file

You can download a Diameter dictionary file to modify it, to copy and customize it, or to examine its contents.
  1. In the Diameter Configuration Wizard, click the Dictionaries tab.
    The Dictionaries screen opens.
  2. Click the name of a dictionary XML file to download the file.
    The XML file downloads to the workstation.
The Diameter dictionary file is downloaded.

Upload a Diameter dictionary file

Before you can upload a Diameter dictionary XML file to the BIG-IP device, you need to download the Diameter dictionary file to a preferred location, for example, the workstation.
You can upload a Diameter dictionary file to the BIG-IP device, as necessary.
  1. In the Diameter Configuration Wizard, click the Dictionaries tab.
    The Dictionaries screen opens.
  2. Click
    Upload
    , click
    Browse
     to navigate to the modified dictionary XML file, and then click
    Open
     to upload the modified dictionary XML file.
A Diameter dictionary XML file is uploaded to the BIG-IP device.

Rename a Diameter dictionary file

You can rename a Diameter dictionary XML file, as necessary.
  1. In the Diameter Configuration Wizard, click the Dictionaries tab.
    The Dictionaries screen opens.
  2. Click
    Rename
     to rename the applicable Diameter dictionary XML file.
  3. In the
    New Dictionary Name
     setting, type a new name for the Diameter dictionary.
  4. Click
    Rename
     to rename the applicable Diameter dictionary XML file.
The Diameter dictionary is renamed.

Delete a Diameter dictionary file

You can delete a Diameter dictionary file, as necessary.
  1. In the Diameter Configuration Wizard, click the Dictionaries tab.
    The Dictionaries screen opens.
  2. Select the check box for the applicable dictionary.
  3. Click
    Delete Dictionary
     to remove the applicable dictionary.
The dictionary XML file is deleted from the BIG-IP device.

Save a Diameter Configuration Wizard configuration

All Diameter Configuration Wizard functions need to be configured before saving the configuration.
You can save the Diameter Configuration Wizard configuration after you complete configuring all of the functions.
  1. In the Diameter Configuration Wizard, click one of the following tabs:
    • Routing
    • Transformations
    • Session Management
    • System Configuration
  2. Click
    Save
    .
The Diameter Configuration Wizard configuration is saved.
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