How to choose your training

This article provides guidance about how to make use of F5 Training Units.  

If your organization purchased Training Units and you have been authorized to select training, how do you choose from all of the options?  We offer three types of learning:  self-directed, web-based training; live, instructor-led classes open to the public; or private, tailored, instructor-led training for just your organization.  We also have a range of curricula and courses for both product and solution training.

You can use this article to narrow down options based on your preferences and requirements.  The questions below will provide guidance or you can request a meeting with our Education Services team to ask questions and schedule private training.

How do you prefer to learn?

• Can you attend live, instructor-led training for consecutive days?
  • Select live instructor-led training classes which include hands-on labs.

• Do you need a gradual learning ramp with more time to practice and review?
  • Sign up for self-directed training which provides access to the training curriculum and hands-on labs for one year.

• What time zone are you in?
  • F5 offers live instructor-led training in EMEA and Americas time zones.
  • If the available dates and times are not suitable, you should consider the flexibility of self-directed training.

• Do you have a go-live date you need to be 100% ready for?
  • Attend live instructor-led training which includes hands-on labs

What do you need to learn?

• Are you new to F5 or do need to establish a solid foundation in our core technology?
  • Yes – start with our foundation courses: 
    • Administering BIG-IP
    • Administering NGINX for Web Services
  • No – if you have experience working with BIG-IP, try the free Administering BIG-IP Course Assessment to measure your current knowledge and identify possible gaps.

• Which F5 products do you support?
  • Plan to take the "Configuring BIG-IP" courses for BIG-IP LTM, DNS, AFM, APM, Advanced WAF, SSL Orchestrator, or NGINX courses

• What is your job role?
  • Network Operations
  • Security Engineering
  • Application Developer

How many people in your organization need to be trained?

• Can they attend a live instructor-led class at the same time?
  • Private training may be more cost effective for medium or large groups. Private training allows for the agenda to be tailored.

• Do you have people in multiple time zones?
  • A combination of instructor-led public classes and self-directed training may best accommodate all schedules.

• Does your team have varying levels of knowledge or experience?
  • Individuals who are new to F5 or have limited experience with BIG-IP should begin with Administering BIG-IP training course to ensure they have the foundational knowledge essential for many other courses.

Are you looking for more information about F5 Training courses?

The complete list of F5 Training courses can be found on the course index.

If you have additional questions, contact the training team at support@mail.education.f5.com