My company have a two F5 Big-IP device, the two Big-IP devices are setup on Active/Standby topology. I went through the F5 device iHealth and it reported :- " Your software is near its End of Technical Support (EoTS) code on Dec. 02, 2017.Support options is limited and an upgrade is recommended". The Platform on my Big-IP 2000 is 12.0.0 (C112). Also it gives me the upgrade option:- Upgrade Option :- 12.0.0 HF$ (hotfix) 13.0.0 HF@ (latest release). (1) Please what is the advantages of upgrading to 13.0.0 (2) Can i upgrade from 12.0.0 to 13.1.0 (3) How can i get the new firmware version (4) What are the procedures for upgrading the Big-IP devices especially as in the Active/Standby topology (5) IS the upgrade service effecting? i.e. Would my network be affected while doing the upgrade? (6) What will happen if i choose not to upgrade the device especially after the Dec. expiration date? Thanks team as i will appreciate your swift response to this question.

Please find your answers below:- 1. Only after the upgrade, would F5 be able to support your issues after Dec 2, 2017. 2. After logging in your F5, got to system - system management - update check and check the ones available for you. You can also check the matrix of hardware/software on F5 website. 3. You should be able to get the firmware from AskF5 downloads web site. 4. You should first upgrade the standby unit, then make it active and then upgrade the new standby one. You should google for some docs, as it's an extensive process. 5. If you proceed in the manner suggested, there should be no impact. But anyways, it's recommended to highlight the possibility of service disruption. 6. TAC will not support you after the due date, your device will not be upgraded against the vulnerabilities that it has etc.

Dear army003, Thanks for your prompt response to my questions. Please can you get me any valid document that spells out this task at hand or may be direct me to a site where i can get these documents. Thanks