BIG-IP Next Service Proxy for Kubernetes

BIG-IP Next SPK facilitates the transition to Cloud-Native Networks

Central point for networking and security for transitioning complex networks to a cloud-native infrastructure

Kubernetes networking was not designed to integrate into multiple networks or support protocols beyond HTTP/HTTPS. BIG-IP Next SPK provides a central point for ingress/egress networking control and security for the Kubernetes cluster. It interoperates fully with Kubernetes, using Kubernetes design patterns, for smooth integration with security policies and the broader network, reducing complexity and operational cost.

Integrates Kubernetes with the Wider Network Supports ingress and egress traffic management and routing for seamless integration to multiple networks.
Enables Mapping of Network Functions and 4G/5G Protocols in a Cloud-Native Network Enables support for 4G and 5G protocols that are not supported by Kubernetes—such as Diameter, SIP, GTP, SCTP, and more.

big-ip-multi-protocol

Central point for networking and security for transitioning complex networks to a cloud-native infrastructure

Kubernetes networking was not designed to integrate into multiple networks or support protocols beyond HTTP/HTTPS. BIG-IP Next SPK provides a central point for ingress/egress networking control and security for the Kubernetes cluster. It interoperates fully with Kubernetes, using Kubernetes design patterns, for smooth integration with security policies and the broader network, reducing complexity and operational cost.

Integrates Kubernetes with the Wider Network Supports ingress and egress traffic management and routing for seamless integration to multiple networks.
Enables Mapping of Network Functions and 4G/5G Protocols in a Cloud-Native Network Enables support for 4G and 5G protocols that are not supported by Kubernetes—such as Diameter, SIP, GTP, SCTP, and more.

cloud-native-infrastructure-core-edge

A single control point for security to ensure complete network isolation

BIG-IP Next SPK manages traffic to and from multiple networks. Without SPK, multiple external firewalls are required for each network, without a way to manage those connections. “Secure SPK” allows for a zero-trust architecture and a single point for ingress and egress to the Kubernetes clusters for firewall and DDoS security. It significantly simplifies security implementation which otherwise would need to take place at multiple locations throughout the network.

Secure Ingress and Egress BIG-IP Next SPK enables security services applied at ingress and egress such as firewalling and DDoS.
Hide Topology Topology hiding at ingress obscures the internal structure within the cluster.
Visibility of Traffic As a central point of control, per-subscriber traffic visibility at ingress and egress allows traceability for compliance tracking and billing.

4G and 5G cloud-native infrastructure—core and edge deployments

BIG-IP Next SPK enables a 5G Core solution which paves the way for robust 5G consumer and enterprise solutions. New service-based infrastructure use cases like network slicing and MEC enable dynamic allocation of resources for specific customers and specific applications. BIG-IP Next SPK provides a North/South traffic ingress and egress to container clusters.

Scale the Core, Edge, and Far Edge BIG-IP Next SPK scales from a small number of very large cell sites in the core to a large number of smaller cell sites at the edge and far edge.
Achieve New Levels of Flexibility with Cloud Native By building the 5G core with a cloud-native architecture, service providers will be able to achieve new levels of operational automation, flexibility, and adaptability.

big-ip-cloud-infrastructure-security-visibility

4G and 5G cloud-native infrastructure—core and edge deployments

BIG-IP Next SPK enables a 5G Core solution which paves the way for robust 5G consumer and enterprise solutions. New service-based infrastructure use cases like network slicing and MEC enable dynamic allocation of resources for specific customers and specific applications. BIG-IP Next SPK provides a North/South traffic ingress and egress to container clusters.

Scale the Core, Edge, and Far Edge BIG-IP Next SPK scales from a small number of very large cell sites in the core to a large number of smaller cell sites at the edge and far edge.
Achieve New Levels of Flexibility with Cloud Native By building the 5G core with a cloud-native architecture, service providers will be able to achieve new levels of operational automation, flexibility, and adaptability.

cloud-native-infrastructure-core-edge

High performance networking and security for AI Data Center Infrastructure

BIG-IP Next SPK delivers high-performance traffic management and security for large scale AI infrastructure. It enables greater data ingestion performance and GPU utilization during model training and better user experience during inferencing through improved performance for Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG).

Optimizes AI Infrastructure Performance High-performance traffic management for large scale AI infrastructure. Maximizes AI infrastructure investment by removing internal network infrastructure bottlenecks.
Supports Multi-Tenancy Support for multi-tenancy and network isolation for AI applications, enabling efficient deployment of multiple users and workloads on a single AI infrastructure.
Applies Zero-Trust Security Integrates critical security features and a zero-trust architecture, including Edge Firewall, DDoS mitigation, API protection, Intrusion Prevention, Encryption, and Certificate Management.

Product Overview

A single point of control for ingress and egress into container clusters for complex networks

BIG-IP Next SPK is deployed as a Kubernetes resource at the North/South gateway, becoming part of the Kubernetes orchestration environment. It controls ingress and egress to container clusters, enabling traffic management and control, load balancing, security, and visibility between nodes.

On-premises

Scale and protect applications at the data center, core, and edge.

Private Cloud

Deploy in a private cloud environment, whether it’s on-premises or in a colocation facility.

Core Capabilities

BIG-IP Next SPK is unique in bringing critical network capabilities to a Kubernetes environment to meet the demands of a service provider network. It provides control for 4G and 5G signaling while adding needed security and visibility.

Kubernetes ingress and egress

Provides a single point of networking control architected for complex networks.

Multi-protocol 4G and 5G

Allows Telco Network Functions using telco protocols such as SCTP and Diameter.

Network security

Controls for ingress and egress traffic.

Visibility

Statistics and analytics for revenue assurance.

Management

Orchestrated and configured by Kubernetes.

Full Kubernetes integration

Embraces and extends Kubernetes patterns.

Platform Support and Integrations

Kubernetes integrations
F5 partner CNF certification program

Platform Support and Integrations

Certify partner CNFs interoperability on SPK

F5 and its partners certify onboarding, integration, deployment, and life cycle management of BIG-IP Next SPK in a cloud-native environment with vendor CNFs.

Resources

Featured

5G Makes a Cloud-Native Application Architecture Vital

A cloud-native architecture transformation presents service providers with many advantages and challenges. F5 cloud-native solutions help accelerate 5G adoption.

Read the article

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BIG-IP Next Service Proxy for Kubernetes

BIG-IP Next SPK facilitates the transition to Cloud-Native Networks