Introduction to the F5 BIG-IP PowerPack

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This section describes how to monitor F5 Networks' BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager (LTM) devices in Skylar One (formerly SL1) using the "F5 BIG-IP" PowerPack.

What is F5 BIG-IP LTM?

F5 Networks' BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager (LTM) devices manage local system traffic to ensure optimal network and application performance and increase the system's operational efficiency. BIG-IP LTM solutions include BIG-IP appliances, the VIPRION application delivery controller, and software-based BIG-IP Virtual Editions.

What Does the F5 BIG-IP PowerPack Monitor?

The "F5 BIG-IP" PowerPack enables you to monitor LTM configuration and performance metrics for virtual servers, pools, and member nodes, as well as other chassis and asset information.

The "F5 BIG-IP" PowerPack includes the following features:

  • Dynamic Applications that discover and monitor F5 BIG-IP LTM devices
  • Device classes for each of the F5 BIG-IP LTM devices that the "F5 BIG-IP" PowerPack can monitor
  • Event policies and corresponding alerts that are triggered when F5 BIG-IP LTM devices meet certain status criteria

Installing the F5 BIG-IP PowerPack

Before completing the steps in this section, you must import and install the latest version of the "F5 BIG-IP" PowerPack.

By default, when you install a new version of a PowerPack, it overwrites all content from that PowerPack that is already installed on the target system. You can use the Enable Selective PowerPack Field Protection setting on the Behavior Settings page (System > Settings > Behavior) to prevent the new version of the PowerPack from overwriting local changes for some commonly customized fields.

For details on upgrading Skylar One, see the relevant Skylar One Platform Release Notes.

To download and install the PowerPack:

  1. Search for and download the PowerPack from the PowerPacks page at the ScienceLogic Support Center (Skylar One > PowerPacks, login required).
  2. In Skylar One, go to the PowerPacks page (System > Manage > PowerPacks).
  3. Click the Actions menu and select Import PowerPack. The Import PowerPack modal appears.
  4. Click Browse and go to the PowerPack file from step 1.
  5. Select the PowerPack file and click Import. The PowerPack Installer modal displays a list of the PowerPack contents.
  6. Click Install. The PowerPack appears on the PowerPacks page.

If you exit the PowerPack Installer modal without installing the imported PowerPack, the imported PowerPack does not appear on the PowerPacks page. However, the imported PowerPack appears in the Imported PowerPacks modal. This modal appears when you click the Actions menu and select Install PowerPack.