How to get a F5 BIG-IP VE Developer Lab License

Update:

I spoke with my F5 sales team.

1) I was informed that any F5 reseller can sell the VE Lab Licenses.

Keep in mind that there is little profit, if any, in reselling the lab licenses. This may explain the apparent ignorance or indifference of some resellers when it comes to Lab licenses.

2) Sounds like v16 and v18 are future releases that are in the works. This explains why the F5 Downloads section goes up to v15, but not v16 or v18. F5 has apparently released SKUs for resellers to use to sell licenses for the future v16 and v18 versions. This explains why some vendors show v16 or v18 for sale. The licenses being sold will include the version being sold for. As an example, my own lab licenses are "F5-SVC-BIG-VE+PREL13." If I recall, I have access to some v9, some v10, some v11 (but not all, for example, the version on the exams was not available with this license four years ago!), v12, and v13).

3) My F5 sales contact reached out to internal leaders to determine if F5 might want to sell lab licenses directly instead of through resellers (which would make things a Ton easier for people like us!). Response forthcoming. My own thoughts: of course, even if it were a positive response, getting to the desired state may take much time.

4) I sent back questions about lab licenses and versions covered. For example, if we purchase a v18 lab license, which versions will we be allowed to utilize in the lab?

Hope the information helps.

I'll keep you posted as things develop.

John