Applies To:
Show VersionsBIG-IP ASM
- 11.6.5, 11.6.4, 11.6.3, 11.6.2, 11.6.1
About basic networking configuration terms
This list summarizes some basic networking configuration terms that you should know before you start configuring the BIG-IP system and using Application Security Manager (ASM).
- local traffic policy
- The way to direct traffic using rules with conditions the traffic must meet, and specifying actions to take (such as where to route the traffic, what security policies or DoS profiles to assign to traffic, and many other actions). ASM automatically creates a local traffic policy when you create a security policy or attach a security policy to a virtual server (manually).
- pool
- The web server or application server resources that host the web application being protected with a security policy. You can create a local traffic pool, and then assign the pool to a virtual server. On Application Security Manager systems, you can create a pool as part of creating a security policy.
- self IP address
- An IP address that you associate with a VLAN, to access hosts in that VLAN. You create a self IP address and associate it with a VLAN.
- virtual server
- The virtual server processes incoming traffic for the web application you are securing. When you create a virtual server manually, you assign the local traffic policy and pool to it. On Application Security Manager systems, you can create a virtual server and pool as part of creating a security policy.
- VLAN (virtual local area network)
- A logical grouping of network devices. You create a VLAN and associate the physical interfaces on the BIG-IP system with the VLAN. You can use a VLAN to logically group devices that are on different network segments.
Overview: Performing basic networking configuration tasks
For initial installation, the BIG-IP hardware includes a hardware setup guide for your platform that you can refer to for details about how to install the hardware in a rack, connect the cables, and run the setup utility.
Next, you must configure the BIG-IP system on your network before you can run the Application Security Manager (ASM) Deployment wizard to create a security policy. The specific tasks you need to perform depend on your company's networking configuration, and which of the other BIG-IP system features are in use.
For using ASM, the minimum networking configuration tasks that you need to perform are creating a VLAN and a self-IP address for the system. During the process of creating a security policy, the system helps you complete other necessary configuration tasks, such as creating a virtual server and pool. The tasks are included here in case you want to create them first. For complex networking configurations that also use other BIG-IP features, you need to perform additional tasks described in the respective documentation.
Task summary
Creating a VLAN
Creating a self IP address for a VLAN
Creating a local traffic pool for application security
Creating a virtual server
About additional networking configuration
Depending on your network environment, you may need to configure the following additional networking features on the BIG-IP system before you start creating security policies.
- DNS
- SMTP
- NTP
- Routes
- Packet filters
- Spanning tree
- Trunks
- ARP
- Redundant systems
Several Application Security features require that the DNS server is on the DNS lookup server list (
). For example, integrating vulnerability assessment tools, web scraping mitigation, and external anti-virus protection usually require you to configure DNS servers on the BIG-IP system.