The F5 402 – Cloud Solutions Exam is an advanced certification that focuses on cross-cloud integration and cloud-native application delivery of F5's full-stack cloud products.

1. Introduction to the F5 402 certification

F5 402-Cloud Solutions Exam is a globally authoritative senior expert certification in the field of enterprise level cloud solutions launched by F5 Networks, belonging to the core top-level sequence of the F5 Certified Solution Expert (F5-CES) certification system.

The F5 402 certification focuses on verifying the integration design of F5 cloud native products and cross cloud architecture, the construction of complex cloud scenario solutions, the optimization of hybrid cloud/multi cloud environment linkage, and the ability to deploy enterprise level clouds. The aim is to cultivate senior technical experts who can independently lead the planning of the security and performance guarantee system for the entire cloud infrastructure.

Against the backdrop of accelerating cloud native transformation and hybrid cloud/multi cloud architecture becoming the mainstream of enterprise IT, F5 cloud solutions undertake the core responsibilities of "cross environment consistent delivery, cloud resource elastic scaling, cloud edge collaborative security protection, and smooth business migration" through the full stack capabilities of "cloud native products + cross-cloud management platforms + traditional product cloud adaptation."

The core positioning of F5 402 certification is to cultivate "senior experts in solution design and implementation of F5 cloud ecosystem," not just technical personnel proficient in a single cloud platform or product configuration, but able to deeply understand the collaborative architecture of the F5 cloud product matrix, solve advanced problems such as cross cloud product compatibility and cloud native application adaptation; at the same time, it has the forward-looking planning capability of cloud architecture, and becomes the core technical support for the balance between business continuity and technological progressiveness in enterprise cloud transformation.

In the project of "building a global application delivery platform under the multi cloud strategy" of a large Internet company, the F5 402 licensee will design an "AWS+Azure+private cloud" hybrid cloud application delivery architecture based on the F5 cloud product matrix, and achieve unified management and policy distribution of cross cloud resources through F5 Distributed Cloud Services.

2. The Competitive Edge of F5 402 Certification

F5 402 certification is the top expert certification in the F5 cloud field, which is different from single cloud platform or product certification. It focuses on "cross cloud consistency" and "solution thinking" and is the core screening criteria for enterprises to recruit senior cloud architects and cloud solution experts. It can significantly enhance the professional influence and discourse power of holders in the industry.

As the top cloud certification of the F5 ecosystem, F5 402 certificate holders have a strong scarcity in the job market. Certificate holders have obvious advantages in project bidding, core position competition, and career promotion, and are often given priority to key roles such as cross cloud architecture design and major cloud project technical leaders, greatly expanding their career development space.

F5 402 certification is a necessary qualification for undertaking high-end projects such as enterprise level hybrid cloud/multi cloud architecture construction, core business cloud migration, cloud native application delivery platform construction, and cross cloud disaster recovery solution implementation. Holders of the F5 402 certificate are given priority to participate in the planning and implementation of core cloud projects, accumulate high-value industry experience and project cases, and further consolidate their professional competitiveness.

Holders of the certificate can join the F5 Expert Community to access core resources such as F5's latest cloud technology white papers, product roadmaps, and industry solution templates; Obtain F5's official cloud technology support through the green channel, and directly connect with F5's advanced technology team to obtain professional guidance in the implementation of complex cloud projects.

3. Core Components of the F5 402 Certification

The F5 402 certification exam is an expert level certification designed for cloud architects and senior engineers, aimed at comprehensively assessing your architectural capabilities in designing, deploying, and managing modern multi cloud and cloud native application delivery solutions using F5 technology.

The exam content strictly follows the official outline, with F5 cloud ecosystem architecture and core product awareness as the cornerstone. It requires you to have a deep understanding of the entire product matrix from BIG-IP Cloud Edition to NGINX Ingress Controller and its positioning in a hybrid environment.

The core design capability is reflected in two modules: cross cloud and hybrid cloud solution design, and cloud native application delivery and containerization deployment. It examines how you design an end-to-end unified architecture that can integrate traditional applications, seamlessly support Kubernetes based microservices, and achieve CI/CD automation.

To ensure efficient and reliable solutions, cloud resource elastic scaling and performance optimization, as well as cloud security protection and compliance landing modules, guide you to balance cost, performance, and security, and build an integrated protection system that meets global compliance standards. Cross cloud management and automated operations focus on achieving large-scale automated governance through IaC and a unified control plane.

Finally, the cloud migration and scenario based implementation of business, as well as the troubleshooting and solution optimization modules for complex cloud problems, will hone your practical ability to transform the architecture blueprint into executable and operable, and ensure that the solution can continue to evolve.

4. What are the requirements to be an F5 402?

(1) Qualification prerequisites:

The prerequisite for passing F5 402 is that you need to have obtained at least two F5-CTS specialized certifications and possess at least one cloud related specialized certification or equivalent cloud technology experience.

We recommend that you have at least 2 years of experience in implementing enterprise level cloud projects and have participated in at least 1 hybrid cloud/multi cloud solution design or business cloud migration project; Familiar with the core services and deployment models of mainstream public cloud platforms, and proficient in cloud native technology foundations.

F5 recommends that you complete the advanced training courses recommended by F5 or accumulate experience in cross cloud solution design and optimization through the F5 DevCentral Advanced Practice Laboratory. 

(2) Training and examinations:

The F5 402 question type and quantity are approximately 90 questions, including multiple-choice questions, situational analysis questions, and configuration practice questions. The exam lasts for 120 minutes. A perfect score of 350 points, reaching 245 points or above to pass.

The exam fee is approximately $300 globally, with slight differences in tax fees in different regions. 

(3) Qualification maintenance:

The F5 402 certificate is valid for 2 years. The renewal requirement is that you need to pass the F5 402 recertification exam or obtain automatic renewal of F5 higher level certification.

5. Comparable Certifications to F5 402 Certification

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional (SAA-C03)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Expert (PCSE)
• CompTIA Cloud+