The first steps in deploying BIG-IQ® VE are to
open the Zip file and extract the virtual hard drive (VHD) file, and save it to the
server running with the Hyper-V® role enabled. Next, you
configure the virtual machine using Hyper-V Manager and the Settings window.
Important: Do not modify the configuration of the Hyper-V guest environment with settings less powerful than the
ones recommended in this document. This includes the settings for the CPU, RAM, and
network adapters. Doing so might produce unexpected results.
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In a browser, open the F5 Downloads page
(https://downloads.f5.com).
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Download the BIG-IQ v5.x/Virtual Edition file package. The file name ends in .vhd.zip
The file package creates a 95GB disk footprint at installation.
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Extract the two files from the Zip archive and save it where your VHD files reside
on the Hyper-V server.
Important: Two files are created when you extract the v file. You must install the
larger file first.
- The name of the larger file is similar to
BIG-IQ-5.0.0.0.0.<build_number>.vhd.
- The name of the smaller file is similar to
BIG-IQ-5.0.0.0.0.<build_number>.DATASTOR.LTM.vhd.
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Start Hyper-V Manager, log in to the Hyper-V server, and
from the Actions pane, click .
The New Virtual Machine Wizard opens.
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In the Name field, type a name for the F5 VE virtual
machine, such as: smith_f5_ve and click
Next.
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In the Memory field, type 4096
and click Next.
Tip: To increase performance, you can specify a value up to
65535.
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For the Connection setting, select
Management and click
Next.
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Map the source network HA to the name of a
high-availability network in your inventory.
An example of a destination high-availability network is
HA.
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Select the Use an existing virtual hard disk check box,
browse to the location where you saved your VHD file, select the larger of the
two files, open it, and click Next.
The file name will be similar to BIG-IQ-5.0.0.0.0.<build_number>.vhd.
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In the Summary page, review your settings and click
Finish.
The New Virtual Machine Wizard closes, and the new F5 VE shows in the
Virtual Machines list.
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From the Virtual Machines list, select the new F5 VE.
The name of the F5 VE appears in the bottom half of the Actions
pane.
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In the lower half of the Actions pane, click Settings.
The Settings window for the selected F5 VE opens.
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From the Hardware list, select Processor, and then
change the Number of logical processors to
4, and increase the Virtual machine
reserve (percentage) to 100.
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Click Add Hardware, select
Storage and click Add.
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In the Inventory pane, select IDE Controler, and in the
details pane select Hard Drive and click
Add.
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Under Media, select Virtual Hard Disk, then browse to
the location where you saved your VHD files, and select the smaller of the two
files.
The file name will be similar to BIG-IQ-5.0.0.0.0.<build_number>.DATASTOR.LTM.vhd
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Click Apply to save your Storage settings.
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Click Add Hardware, select Network
Adapter and click Add. Repeat this for a
total of three adapters (or four, for a high-availability configuration).
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Click the second Network Adapter, and then from the Network list select
External.
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Click the third Network Adapter, and then from the Network list select
Internal.
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If the F5 VE will be used in a high-availability configuration, click
the fourth Network Adapter, and then from the Network list select
HA.
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In the Management area, click Automatic Stop Action and
select Shut down the guest operating system.
This setting ensures that the F5 VE virtual machine restarts with all
previously-configured virtual hardware, and at the current system time.
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Click OK to save your changes and close the Settings
window.