Testing Model

F5 supports the functionality of BIG-IP Access Policy Manager on the most-used platforms and ensures support with the commonly used operating systems (OS) and browsers.

Supported BIG-IP versions

Beginning in BIG-IP 13.1.0, the BIG-IP Edge Client package for APM Clients is available on the F5 Downloads site. BIG-IP Edge Client is supported on BIG-IP 13.1.0 and later. For details on APM Client versions and their availability in BIG-IP versions, refer https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K13757.

Note: When upgrading the BIG-IP APM system, the version of the APM Clients ISO file that is included in the upgrade automatically becomes the active APM Client version. You may upload images older than the System Default, but you cannot install them.

For information on updating BIG-IP Edge Client for the BIG-IP system refer https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K52547540.

Supported features on Remote Access clients

F5 has several client software packages that facilitate secure remote connectivity for different device platforms. Because of differences in platforms, the capabilities of each client are also different. Refer to the K23653432 article for the list of available features in the F5 Remote Access clients.

OS / Browser and Browser Compatibility

F5 supports the listed operating systems and browser releases, with the latest service pack or service pack equivalent, for up to 3 years from the time of initial release, as long as the listed operating systems and browsers are still supported by the vendor.

If an operating system or browser vendor ends mainstream support before the end of that 3 year period for a release or service pack, F5 will also end support at the same time. Once an operating system or browser has surpassed the 3-year date from release, F5 will continue to monitor the user base of this operating system or browser release. When a release reaches a usage level that can no longer justify development, test, and support resources, we will issue an EoL (End of Life) Solution at least three months prior to the planned EoDS (End of Development Support).

Microsoft’s policy of Servicing Channels with Windows 11 and Windows 10 has changed the F5 support policy for Windows 11 and Windows 10 as follows:

• F5 supports Microsoft Windows 11 versions 23H2 and 22H2 General Availability Channel for 24 or 36 months from the date of the release. F5 supports Microsoft Windows 10 versions 22H2 and 21H2 General Availability Channel for 18 or 30 months from the date of the release. The General Availability channel replaces the Semi-Annual Channel and is considered as a primary servicing channel recommended for Windows 10 servicing. For more details, refer to the Windows 11 and Windows 10 release information.
• F5 supports Microsoft Windows 10 version 21H1 Semi-Annual Channel for 18 months from the date of release. The Semi-Annual Channel replaces the Current Branch (CB) and Current Branch for Business (CBB) concepts.
• F5 supports Windows 10 versions 21H2 and 21H1 Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) releases for up to two years from the initial release date, as long as such a release is within the "mainstream support" period. The Long-Term Servicing Channel replaces the Long-Term Servicing Branch (LTSB) concept.

Important: This policy only applies to the BIG-IP end-user interfaces, and not the administrative web console for BIG-IP or any other F5 product.

Microsoft^® Windows OS

BIG-IP APM system supports Windows 10 IoT Enterprise as BIG-IP APM Client.

All BIG-IP Edge Client versions are supported on Windows 11 64-bit versions 23H2 and 22H2 on Intel/AMD/ARM, Windows 10 64-bit versions 22H2, 21H2, and 21H1 on Intel/AMD/ARM, and Windows 10 32-bit versions 22H2, 21H2, and 21H1 on Intel/AMD running Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Chrome.

F5 supports Windows 11 64-bit versions 23H2 and 22H2 on Intel/AMD/ARM, Windows 10 64-bit versions 22H2, 21H2, and 21H1 on Intel/AMD/ARM, and Windows 10 32-bit versions 22H2, 21H2, and 21H1 on Intel/AMD.

All browsers use F5 Helper Applications to provide Network Access and Endpoint Check functionality. Static application tunnels, optimized tunnels, and continuous endpoint checks are supported.

Note: BIG-IP APM system does not support Windows 10 IoT Core as BIG-IP APM client.

Note: F5 does not support the Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 desktop application as it went out of support. For more information, refer to the Lifecycle policy for Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge.

Linux OS

F5 supports all 64-bit x86_64 Linux operating systems (OS) running Firefox* or Chrome*. 32-bit Linux operating systems are not supported.

F5 supports Debian based Linux operating systems (OS) on AArch64 platform from APM Clients 7.2.4 onwards.

BIG-IP APM supports two Linux clients, a CLI and Network Access client components for browser-based access. On the CLI for Linux, APM supports logon with user name and password only and does not support any endpoint security features. On the client component for Linux, APM supports all of the primary Network Access features, except for Drive Mappings and some endpoint security features. 

Refer to https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K23653432 for details on the features supported.

* Chrome and Firefox browsers use F5 Helper Applications to provide Network Access and Endpoint Check functionality. Static application tunnels and continuous endpoint checks are supported.

macOS

F5 supports macOS Sonoma (14.0) with Rosetta-2 emulator on Apple Silicon M-Series processors and native mode on Intel processor devices, running Firefox, Safari, or Chrome.

F5 supports macOS Ventura (13.0) with Rosetta-2 emulator on Apple Silicon M-Series processors and native mode on Intel processor devices, running Firefox, Safari, or Chrome.

F5 provides BIG-IP APM Edge Client software fixes for the current major version of macOS and one major version back. For older macOS versions, F5 will provide configuration assistance on a case-by-case basis.

Browser plugin support has largely been discontinued by browser manufacturers and is not supported on BIG-IP 13.1.x or later. For more information refer https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K15326.

For endpoint security posture checks, only the latest released OPSWAT Endpoint Security (EPSEC) package is supported. Check the F5 Downloads site for the appropriate version and refer to the release notes for your APM Client and EPSEC version for details.

F5 supports macOS devices, running Firefox, Safari or Chrome.