Prerequisites for installation/upgrade

Configure the front-panel management port on the system.

For more information, see the platform guide for your rSeries platform at support.f5.com/csp/knowledge-center/hardware.

Connect the system to a serial console server.

Use these default serial port settings:- Baud rate: 19200

• Data bits: 8

• Stop bits: 1

• Parity: None

• Flow control: None

Configure basic management settings

For more information, see the Network settings reference section.

Verify that an rsync server is reachable from the system for import of installation images onto the system.

For more information, see the rsync documentation (rsync.samba.org).

Update/reactivate your system license, if needed, to ensure that you have a valid service check date.

For more information, see “K7727: License activation may be required before a software upgrade for BIG-IP” (support.f5.com/csp/article/K7727).

Get a USB flash drive (minimum 8GB); only needed if using the USB method for performing a clean installation.

Verify that the drive is fully seated and flush in the USB port.Note: For security purposes, the USB port on the system is disabled by default. You can use Always-On Management (AOM) to enable the front panel USB port. For more information about AOM, see the platform guide for your rSeries platform at support.f5.com/csp/knowledge-center/hardware.

Verify that an external PXE server is reachable from the system; only needed if using the PXE server method for performing a clean installation.

The external PXE server must provide TFTP, DHCP, and HTTP services. The PXE server must be on the same network segment as the F5 rSeries system’s management port.