F5 Inter VLAN routing / forwarding

Yes, the source IP for the server side connection will be the client IP if no SNAT is used. This creates a connection table entry. Assuming the device has a Self IP in VLAN1 and VLAN2, it'll route between the two just like a router, as long as a Virtual Server or NAT/SNAT has been created to handle the traffic.

 

 

You only need a routing/forwarding VS if you want to route traffic not handled by a VS.

 

 

For packets back to the client, the reverse occurs with everything changed back based on the connection table entry. Note that although it's easier to think of it that way no NAT or PAT is occurring. The client connection is terminated and a new one created server-side, with a different destination address and possibly port.

 

 

Note that as long as Auto Last Hop is enabled (which is the default) the return packets are sent to the originating MAC address. No route lookup is done.

 

 

This all applies whether the client is on a VLAN configured on the F5 or ten hops away.