F5 BIG-IP DNS Reviews

Vendor: F5

4.3 out of 5

20 reviews
100% willing to recommend

129 followers

What is F5 BIG-IP DNS?

F5® BIG-IP® DNS distributes DNS and user application requests based on business policies, data center and cloud service conditions, user location, and application performance. BIG-IP DNS is commonly configured as a full proxy to provide global server load balancing (GSLB) for applications and DNS across architectures, and across the globe.

The BIG-IP platform delivers DNS services with visibility, reporting, and analysis; scales and secures DNS responses geographically to survive increased traffic or threats; delivers a real-time DNSSEC solution; designed to provide availability of global applications in all cloud environments.

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F5 BIG-IP DNS is the #4 ranked solution in top Domain Name System (DNS) Security solutions. PeerSpot users give F5 BIG-IP DNS an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. F5 BIG-IP DNS is most commonly compared to Cisco Umbrella: F5 BIG-IP DNS vs Cisco Umbrella. F5 BIG-IP DNS is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 69% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a financial services firm, accounting for 18% of all views.

Helped 838,640 peers since 2012

Featured reviews

Richard Polyak

Sr. Architect at NBC Universal

While we haven't explored AI-driven features yet, it's part of our roadmap for future versions. I would recommend F5 BIG-IP DNS to others in the industry. Overall, I would rate it an eight out of 10 as it meets our current needs but it will always have room for improvement.

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Raja Waqar Ahmad

Sr. Network Engineer at Tekboox

F5 is working on improving its identity management features. This is an important area for improvement, as it is a key component of Zero Trust architecture. So, when I was working on the zero-trust architecture, I noticed that there was a lack of documentation. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has published some documentation and frameworks for ZTA implementation. In the NIST framework, multiple vendors can be used for different components of the architecture. For example, for identity management, common vendors include Azure, Intune, AWS, Cisco Duo, and Zscaler. I remember reading about F5 mentioned in the context of the ZTA framework. So, it's encouraging to read that F5 is being considered for ZTA implementations. Netskope is also using F5 for their ZTA solutions. I would also like to see all of F5's features integrated into a single box, as it would be the most beneficial for end customers. F5 is already enhancing its security capabilities. Initially, load balancing and security required separate devices, but now F5 offers solutions that combine both functionalities in a single device.

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SRI GANESH PHANIYAPPA

Sub Divisional Engineer NOC Bangalore at Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited

They only have a few sub-vendors, but competition for the reduced-price listing has increased. This one requires a few more vendors who can join the F5 network. In my opinion, brand recognition can be increased. I would like them to focus on marketing and brand awareness. In India, for example, the product is not well known, and it is difficult to find F5 partners or vendors. It's not widely known. The weakness is that extensive training is required to hire the people who need to work on the project. Training is only part of it, the other is marketing, where and whom to approach. I would like them to concentrate on training sessions or educational webinars to educate the users and customers. We are only trained after we have installed it. The training was provided during the deployment. The main point is that intelligence will be infused into this panel. The product server is prevented from accessing a malicious server site. CNC (control and command) communication would be beneficial. We would like to have control and command blocking to prevent visiting malicious websites. We would like them to have a prevention feature included, to prevent them from visiting these websites.

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F5 BIG-IP DNS mindshare

As of February 2025, the mindshare of F5 BIG-IP DNS in the Domain Name System (DNS) Security category stands at 6.6%, down from 7.2% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Domain Name System (DNS) Security

PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	Domain Name System (DNS) Security	Feb 21, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Feb 21, 2025	Download
Comparison	F5 BIG-IP DNS vs Cisco Umbrella	Feb 21, 2025	Download
Comparison	F5 BIG-IP DNS vs Infoblox Advanced DNS Protection	Feb 21, 2025	Download
Comparison	F5 BIG-IP DNS vs Palo Alto Networks DNS Security	Feb 21, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Cisco Umbrella	4.4	22.3%	97%	111 interviews Add to research
Infoblox Advanced DNS Protection	4.1	21.7%	92%	17 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Valued features of F5 BIG-IP DNS include DNS security, speed, and ease of administration. Users appreciate DNS monitoring, global traffic management, and global service load balancing. High availability, scalability, and protection against DDoS are highlighted. The flexible script language and global server load balancing enhance functionality. Robust integration with existing infrastructure and cost-effectiveness are also praised. These features contribute to its effectiveness in managing DNS operations across diverse geographic locations efficiently.

"The main features valued in F5 BIG-IP include high availability, scalability, and protection of applications from attacks."
"One of the most effective feature of F5 BIG-IP DNS is its robustness and integration with our existing F5 infrastructure. It helps us to geographically connect and form an internal topology network with our clients."
"The configuration process is straightforward, making it easy to set up wide IPs and distribute traffic across local US sites and data centers via VPN."

Room for Improvement

F5 BIG-IP DNS needs better integration with VMware and cloud platforms. Pricing is a concern, and the interface is complicated. Users find the setup challenging and documentation insufficient. Marketing and brand awareness are lacking. Training requires improvement. Customers express the need for enhanced security features, smoother porting, and improved monitoring. The support response time could be faster for critical issues. Enhanced identity management and better UI along with cloud integration are desired elements for modernization.

"The support response time could use improvement."
"The analysis services needs improvement."
"I sometimes encounter issues with the porting of F5 BIG-IP DNS."

ROI

Users reported that F5 BIG-IP DNS significantly improved their network performance and reliability. They noted a reduction in latency and quicker response times. They appreciated the scalability and the robust traffic management capabilities. Some mentioned the tool's ease of integration with existing systems. Users found the investment worthwhile due to enhanced control over traffic distribution and increased system uptime, leading to a positive impact on their operational efficiency.

Pricing

F5 BIG-IP DNS pricing is often considered high when compared to competitors like Citrix and Fortinet. Pricing structures can be subscription-based or perpetual, with variations depending on chosen modules. The solution offers value for money with its comprehensive feature set but may not provide the best prices for new or smaller customers. Options include yearly licenses for on-prem versions and daily payments for cloud versions. Additional costs may arise for features like DDoS protection.

"You cannot do much around DDoS protection without an additional license from F5."
"I would rate the pricing a three out of ten, with ten being a low price."
"They are competitively priced."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily utilize F5 BIG-IP DNS for global server load balancing, enhancing application availability, and DNS security. They deploy it across data centers for failover scenarios, business recovery, and caching. It handles traffic from multiple servers, balances network loads, and protects applications through advanced security features. F5 BIG-IP DNS is employed for reverse proxy authentication, secure web gateway functions, and content distribution, aiding in scalability and efficient data center operations.

Service and Support

F5 BIG-IP DNS customer service and support receive mixed feedback. Many users find the technical support responsive, knowledgeable, and helpful, offering assistance even at pre-sales stages. Some rate it highly, mentioning excellent promptness and effective troubleshooting. On the other hand, some experience delays and complexity, especially with cloud issues. There is room for improvement in analysis services. Technical support is generally rated between eight and ten out of ten, with some users giving nine or more.

Deployment

The F5 BIG-IP DNS initial setup is generally straightforward for many users, with some deploying it in a day or less. Complexity varies based on project size and configuration needs. Some users find it complex, requiring up to six months, while others rely on thorough documentation and guidelines. The installation is described as easy for those with experience, yet more complicated for newcomers. A team is often necessary to manage and maintain the setup process.

Scalability

F5 BIG-IP DNS is perceived as highly scalable by users. Many appreciate its capacity to handle increased demand without speed constraints, highlighting its ability to support thousands of users seamlessly. Some note its limitations due to its appliance nature and seek alternatives like virtual editions for easier scaling. Users rate its scalability very positively, often ten out of ten, citing its adaptability in various environments, including cloud deployments, and managing large-scale applications efficiently.

Stability

F5 BIG-IP DNS is praised for its stability, consistently ranking high in user assessments. Users rate its stability ten out of ten, reporting no crashes, glitches, or server failures. It is described as rock solid and reliable for over 12 years, frequently chosen across many organizations. Users note that both the hardware version and cloud edition meet stability expectations, with no major issues reported during new feature upgrades or other operations.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

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