Problem Statement for an F5 Load Balancer Expert - (Consultant)Project Overview
As part of our ongoing project with Vodacom, we are transitioning to an advanced infrastructure to ensure optimal performance, scalability, and reliability. The client has provisioned two F5 Load Balancers to be integrated into our system architecture. To ensure the successful setup and configuration of these devices, we require an experienced consultant with specialized expertise in F5 Load Balancer solutions, including clustering and high-availability configurations.

Objective
The consultant will be responsible for providing end-to-end support for implementing the F5 Load Balancers, ensuring they align with project requirements, are properly configured, and function seamlessly within our infrastructure. The tasks will involve both strategic design and hands-on implementation, culminating in a robust clustering, failover, and load-balancing mechanism.

Scope of Work
The consultant will work closely with both the Vodacom team and our Abacus team to perform the following tasks:

1. Preparation and Access Configuration
   • Define IPs for all Virtual IPs (VIPs).
   • Confirm access to the F5 interface.
   • Configure DNS settings.
2. Health Monitoring and Endpoints
   • Provide health-check endpoints.
   • Configure health monitors.
3. Virtual Server and Routing Configuration
   • Create Virtual IPs (VIPs) for various systems.
   • Define routing logic for the systems.
4. Failover Strategy and Clustering
   • Design and implement a failover strategy.
   • Configure F5 Load Balancer clustering to ensure high availability and fault tolerance.
   • Simulate PROD/DR failover scenarios.
5. System Testing and Integration
   • Configure DNS to integrate seamlessly with other systems.
   • Test VIP health checks.
   • Test round-robin traffic distribution.

Desired Expertise
The ideal consultant should possess:

• Extensive hands-on experience with F5 Load Balancer configuration, including BIG-IP modules (LTM, GTM, etc.).
• Proven expertise in configuring and managing F5 Load Balancer clustering for high availability.
• A deep understanding of DNS management, health monitoring, and routing logic.
• Proficiency in designing and implementing failover strategies.
• Ability to simulate and troubleshoot high-availability (HA) scenarios like PROD/DR failover.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work with cross-functional teams.

Deliverables

1. Fully configured F5 Load Balancers with integrated DNS, clustering, and routing logic.
2. A clustering and failover strategy documented and implemented.
3. Comprehensive testing reports covering VIP health checks, PROD/DR failover simulations, traffic routing validation, and clustering performance.
4. Knowledge transfer to the internal team regarding the setup and maintenance of the F5 Load Balancers and clustering features.

Engagement Type
This will be a short-term consulting engagement with a clear timeline and deliverables. The expected duration of the activity is approximately four weeks.