F5 Networks is a networking appliances company with headquarters in Seattle, Washington, and development and marketing offices worldwide. Its main product line is the BIG-IP network and its associated hardware equipment. They also offer other applications, including access control and application security.

Add-on applications to F5's BIG-IP family of products offer email filtering and intelligent compression to allow for lower bandwidth, faster downloads, load balancing and local traffic management capabilities.

In addition, F5 offers other products in various segments of the application delivery controller market. F5 Networks has a majority of the market industry, with its most significant competitors being Cisco and Citrix.

F5 Networks hardware equipment includes:

1. F5 Networks BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager
2. BIG-IP Global Traffic Manager
3. BIG-IP Link Controller
4. BIG-IP Application Security Manager
5. BIG-IP WebAccelerator
6. F5 Networks FirePass SSL VPN
7. F5 Networks ARX Series - F5 ARX intelligent file virtualization
8. F5 Networks WANJet
9. BIG-IP Enterprise Manager
10. F5 Networks hardware: VIPRION Hardware 7U, 36Gbit/s (chassis system with four Performance Blades to achieve this speed)

There are many F5 Networks product distributors and used F5 Networks equipment providers. The BIG-IP network is one of the most used networks in the technology market today.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Where to find information on new F5 Networks hardware

New F5 Networks hardware information is readily available at the F5 Networks company website.

I recommend: For information on how to buy new F5 Networks equipment online, direct from F5, you can check out the F5 Networks website. It provides many F5 Networks solutions to various configurations, including small business. The website also provides a products webpage that lists F5 Networks products and provides technical information on these products. You can also talk to sales reps and technical experts.

Locate a used F5 Networks equipment provider

Used F5 Networks hardware is readily available through various suppliers of F5 Networks hardware.

I recommend: When searching for used F5 Networks equipment providers, try Centrics IT; they provide a great deal of inventory of used F5 Networks equipment. Network Liquidators has a good list of used F5 Networks equipment. Novia Networks offers used F5 Networks equipment and other associated peripherals.

Find technical information on F5 Networks hardware

Technical information on the proper use and installation of F5 Networks hardware is important. Many F5 Networks equipment suppliers offer this service.

I recommend: hardware.com, F5's Network Support Page and GGI Networks.

Discover more information about F5 Networks hardware

If you are unsure of what you need when putting together an F5 network, a professional consultant may provide the education and information on how to best utilize your F5 Networks hardware.

I recommend: There are many locations available that provide consultation on using the proper F5 network hardware. They also provide information on the proper installation and configuration of F5 hardware. Some of these locations include: DirectPointe, Acropolis Technology Group and Geek Squad.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Network security is necessary in today's world. Protect your F5 Networks hardware, your data and your business by using firewalls, virus software and email security.