How to get a F5 BIG-IP VE Developer Lab License
(applies to BIG-IP TMOS Edition)
To assist operational teams teams improve their development for the BIG-IP platform, F5 offers a low cost
developer lab license. This license can be purchased from your authorized F5 vendor. If you do not have an F5 vendor, and you are in either Canada or the US you can purchase a lab license online:
Once completed, the order is sent to F5 for fulfillment and your license will be delivered shortly after via e-mail. F5 is investigating ways to improve this process.
To download the BIG-IP Virtual Edition, log into my.f5.com (separate login from DevCentral), navigate down to the Downloads card under the Support Resources section of the page. Select BIG-IP from the product group family and then the current version of BIG-IP.
You will be presented with a list of options, at the bottom, select the Virtual-Edition option that has the following descriptions:
- For VMware Fusion or Workstation or ESX/i: Image fileset for VMware ESX/i Server
- For Microsoft HyperV: Image fileset for Microsoft Hyper-V
- KVM RHEL/CentoOS: Image file set for KVM Red Hat Enterprise Linux/CentOS
Note: There are also 1 Slot versions of the above images where a 2nd boot partition is not needed for in-place upgrades. These images include _1SLOT- to the image name instead of ALL.
The below guides will help get you started with F5 BIG-IP Virtual Edition to develop for VMWare Fusion, AWS, Azure, VMware, or Microsoft Hyper-V. These guides follow standard practices for installing in production environments and performance recommendations change based on lower use/non-critical needs for development or lab environments. Similar to driving a tank, use your best judgement.
- Deploying F5 BIG-IP Virtual Edition on VMware Fusion
- Deploying F5 BIG-IP in Microsoft Azure for Developers
- Deploying F5 BIG-IP in AWS for Developers
- Deploying F5 BIG-IP in Windows Server Hyper-V for Developers
- Deploying F5 BIG-IP in VMware vCloud Director and ESX for Developers
152 Comments
WeaverJKNimbostratus
Try CDW: (I bought mine from CDW) https://m.cdw.com/product/big-ip-virtual-edition-lab-license-v.-16-license-10-mbps/4699677 Here is another company that claims to sell the lab licenses: https://www.infradata.com/partners/f5-networks/support/lab-license/?utm_campaign=US+%7C+S+%7C+Vendor+%7C+F5+Networks&utm_medium=ppc&utm_source=adwords&utm_term=%2Bf5%20%2Blab&hsa_grp=60023889810&hsa_acc=1686662182&hsa_src=g&hsa_cam=1608705548&hsa_ad=322505644545&hsa_tgt=kwd-600877020422&hsa_kw=%2Bf5%20%2Blab&hsa_ver=3&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_mt=b&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuLPb3IbE5QIV8ZFbCh3p6QjrEAAYAiAAEgI35_D_BwE, I can provide you with a quotation for a LAB VE license. Drop me an email at kees[at]kees4ip.nl
Cheers,
Kees
itsmygalaxyIf F5 could directly deliver the license, it would ease all customers. The re sellers doesnt promptly answer/update the customers. I ordered with CDW and it got cancelled as soon as i ordered without any update. After two days when i called for an update they moved my order into queue I am still following up with them over a month after paying for it. Could i get an alternative re-seller where could i get this?
, F5 doesn't do direct sales, only via the partner channel (F5 -> distri -> partner -> customer).
Drop me an email (see my post above yours) and I will provide you with a quotation.
Cheers,
Kees
PrakinCirrus
Hi,
is this links CDW still valid ? to purchase lab license?.
Br,
Prakin
, this link will only work within the US.
See my post above yours.
Cheers,
Kees
drewmthis would be nice... if you could get cdw to actually send you a license key.... its been two weeks waiting for one and i've already paid...
- Jer-O
I cannot get any traction on this whatsoever. I'm trying to buy 3 lab licenses. The "(16)" version isn't the current version 15. Not understanding the CDW naming conventions, I original tried to buy it via the "(18)" version. CDW said that F5 requested a purchase order, meaning F5 assumed it was an upgrade license that CDW is charging $121.99 for, which makes no sense at all. Maintenance contract for a lab license should be less that $30. Long story short, after two MONTHS of back and forth with CDW, they provided zero guidance on what product would get a reaction from F5 that is NOT "send us a purchase order number". Is anyone getting the licenses they need? I'm so angry about this. I support the federal government as a contractor, and I need this personal test environment. I built an ESXi for this sole purpose, and it is collecting dust now. I have called, emailed and submitted forms to the F5 sales office... Zilch. They just do not give a !@#$ about independent engineers. This used to be hard, but now it seems impossible. Should I just try again to order "(16)" and hope it's somehow a better option than "(18)"? I tell you, no one at CDW has a clue about any of the F5 products. I end up having to guide the narrative in talking to F5, but in the end that doesn't even matter.
- WeaverJKJer, I forwarded this message to my F5 Sales Rep. He and his partner engineer have been Huge and Helpful resources for me and my team over the years. It may take a while, but I'm sure this person will be willing and able to track someone down who can then answer your questions and hopefully provide you direction. Just received an OOO stating my guy is out of the office until Monday. Please be patient. I am confident he'll be able to provide some advice. Respectfully, John K. Weaver CISSP, CISM, CISA, CCNP, CCNA-Security, F5-CA, MCSE-Security, MCITP-EA/SA/VA (2008), VCP-DCV 2019 (v6.5), VCP6-NV (v6.2), VCP5-DCV (v5.5), Security+CE 734-673-7429
- Jer-O
Thank you, WeaverJK! I just got in touch with my fed rep, and that is sounding promising so far. I may even get 3 temp licenses while things are sorted out with payments for the actuals. I'm hoping to have these VEs up by Monday or Tuesday. If for some reason traction fails on it, I'll comment here again. I know multiple engineers who are all stuck with this, and all of them work for fed agencies or multi-nationals. It's just stunning to me that this has become this painful for all of us.
