Specifications

Configuring Filters
BIG-IP® Reference Guide 5-3
Rate filters and rate classes
In addition to IP filters, you can also define rate filters. Rate filters consist of
the basic filter and a rate class. Rate classes define how many bits per
second are allowed per connection, and the number of packets in a queue.
Configuring rate filters and rate classes
Rate filters are a type of extended IP filter. They use the same IP filter
method, but they apply a rate class which determines the volume of network
traffic allowed through the filter.
Tip
You must define at least one rate class in order to apply a rate filter.
Rate filters are useful for sites that have preferred clients. For example, an
e-commerce site may want to set a higher throughput for preferred
customers, and a lower throughput for random site traffic.
Configuring rate filters involves both creating a rate filter and a rate class.
When you configure rate filters, you can use existing rate classes. However,
if you want a new rate filter to use a new rate class, you must configure the
new rate class before you configure the new rate filter.
To configure a new rate class using the Configuration utility
1. In the navigation pane, click Filters.
The IP Filters screen opens.
2. Click the Rate Filters tab.
The Rate Filters screen opens.
3. Click the Add Class button.
The Add Rate Class screen opens.
4. Type the necessary information to configure a new rate class. For
additional information about configuring a new rate class, click the
Help button.
Note
For information on configuring IP filters from the command line, refer to
the IPFW man page.
After you have added a rate class, you can configure rate filters for your
system.