F5 BIG-IP Administration Data Plane Configuration (F5CAB3) is a practical configuration certification focused on application delivery of core data plane components.

1. Introduction to the F5CAB3 certification

F5 BIG-IP Administration Data Plan Configuration (F5CAB3) is a global authoritative application delivery network (ADN) management entry-level specialized certification launched by F5 Networks. It is one of the five core exams of F5 Certified Administrator and the BIG-IP certification system.

The F5CAB3 certification focuses on verifying the practical ability of practitioners to configure, manage, and optimize the core components of the BIG-IP data plane. It is the "core key" for IT operation and maintenance personnel to master the practical skills of BIG-IP traffic management, aiming to cultivate junior technical talents who can independently complete BIG-IP data plane traffic forwarding configuration, load balancing strategy implementation, and basic traffic optimization.

The core of F5CAB3 certification is to cultivate "BIG-IP data plane configuration practical experts." Unlike F5CAB2, F5CAB3 requires candidates to master "how to configure" rather than just "understanding what it is."

The F5CAB3 certification focuses on the actual configuration process and best practices of BIG-IP data plane core components, ensuring that the certificate holder can independently complete the complete data forwarding path configuration from the "traffic entrance" to the "backend server," achieving load balancing, high availability, and basic optimization of application traffic.

In the enterprise new application launch project, F5CAB3 certificate holders will be responsible for configuring standard virtual servers as application traffic entry points; Configure appropriate load balancing algorithms; Set up a health monitor to ensure that traffic is only forwarded to servers that are running normally; Enable session persistence to ensure user experience continuity; Ultimately verify the availability and performance of the entire data forwarding path.

2. Career Value of Holding the F5CAB3 Certification

F5CAB3 is the most recognized BIG-IP data plane configuration certification in the world. It is often listed as a "prerequisite" in the recruitment of IT operation and maintenance positions in the Internet industry. Especially in enterprises using F5 BIG-IP products, it is the core symbol that distinguishes between "theoretical understanding" and "practical ability," providing direct proof of capability for enterprise application release work.

F5CAB3 is a core component of the F5 certification system, which allows for seamless advancement to F5CAB4 and F5CAB5, thereby challenging higher-level specialized certifications. Internationally, the salary premium for certificate holders in the basic management position of application delivery is about 10%-20%, which is a "standardized ability proof" for IT operation and maintenance personnel to transform into the field of application delivery.

The F5CAB3 certification covers the core configuration process and best practices of BIG-IP data plane, which proves the ability to independently complete BIG-IP application publishing, avoiding common problems such as "application unavailability caused by configuration errors" and "server overload caused by unreasonable load balancing strategies" for beginners. Enterprises do not need extensive pre job practical training, and can quickly get started after joining.

3. Overview of the F5CAB3 Certification

For practical engineers who have mastered the basic management and core concepts of F5 BIG-IP and are committed to becoming capable of independently deploying and optimizing application delivery services, F5 BIG-IP data plane configuration certification is a crucial advanced practical qualification.

The F5CAB3 certification has made a leap from theoretical understanding to practical configuration operations, systematically verifying whether you have the engineering ability to translate core concepts such as virtual servers, load balancing, and high availability into concrete, stable, and efficient operational configurations.

Virtual server configuration serves as the overall gateway for all traffic, and you will be proficient in selecting and creating various types of virtual servers, as well as mastering advanced configurations such as TCP/HTTP profiles to finely control traffic behavior. This is the cornerstone of external service release.

Health monitor configuration is a sentinel system that ensures service availability. You will configure ICMP, TCP, HTTP/HTTPS and other monitors in depth, set reasonable detection parameters, ensure that faults can be actively detected, and avoid directing user requests to expired services.

Address translation configuration focuses on network stealth and reachability. The core lies in mastering the three modes of SNAT, especially the configuration of SNAT pools, to solve the problem of server packet routing and achieve source address translation, which is a necessary configuration for most production environments.

4. What are the requirements to be an F5CAB3?

(1) Qualification prerequisites:

There are no mandatory educational or professional requirements for F5CAB3 certification, but it is recommended to have basic network knowledge and F5CAB2 certification knowledge.

Certification does not require advanced network or security certification, making it suitable for beginners in the IT operations field. We recommend that you complete the F5 official training course or the online learning platform SPOTO's F5CAB3 specialized training to master core configuration skills. 

(2) Training and examinations:

The number of F5CAB3 certification questions is about 60-70 single-choice questions, including scenario analysis questions and configuration operation questions. The exam lasts for 90 minutes. Full score of 1000 points, reaching 700 points or above to pass.

The exam fees vary slightly in different regions, ranging from approximately $175 to $200. 

(3) Qualification maintenance:

The F5CAB3 certificate is valid for 2 years. To renew the certificate, you need to pass the F5CAB3 recertification exam or a high-level exam in the F5 certification system within the validity period, submit a renewal application, and pay the renewal fee.

Special note: The F5 certification system underwent significant updates in April 2025, with new exams such as F5CAB3 replacing the data plane configuration section of the original 201-TMOS Administration exam.

5. Comparable Certifications to F5CAB3 Certification

• A10 Certified Professional System Administration 4
• Radware Alteon Entry-Level Configuration Certification
• Fortinet NSE 4: FortiADC Module