FAQs

Before you ask.

Training and coaching questions, answered. If something's missing, email [email protected] or book a free call.

Training

Do you deliver all the training and coaching yourself?

Yes. I personally deliver every course and every coaching session.

I've worked with F5 since 2008 and been F5-certified since 2012, deploying, securing and operating BIG-IP for some of the largest F5 customers in the world: banks, airlines, broadcasters, government. Before that, Cisco networking, and since 1995 writing the applications these boxes protect.

Every course and session is built from that work. I show you both sides of the subject: the application and the developer as well as the F5 and the user. Once you've seen and understood both, you are a long way ahead of most F5-certified people.

Do I need prior networking or F5 experience to take these courses?

No prior experience needed.

The training takes you from the basics to advanced topics. Whether you're starting from scratch or already working with F5, you get the structure, clarity and real-world context to progress fast.

I've taken students from non-IT backgrounds all the way through to passing F5 30x-level exams, and I also train people to the minimally qualified candidate (MQC) standard for the earlier exams.

If you're unsure, book my free 20-minute call. I'll assess your level and tell you the best starting point.

Why is this F5 training different?

I approach F5 from an application developer's perspective, with a strong focus on how F5 affects real applications, user experience and security. You learn to think beyond configuration and understand how F5 fits into a modern delivery environment.

At the same time, every course follows the official F5 exam blueprint line by line, so you're fully prepared for the certification exam.

It's real-world context on an exam-focused structure, designed to help you pass and then be a credible F5 engineer afterwards. Every lesson is recorded on a live BIG-IP, and the slides and notes come with the course.

Which F5 certifications do you cover?

The courses follow the official F5 certification path, mapped line by line to each exam blueprint:

F5CAB (F5 Certified Administrator, BIG-IP)
301a (BIG-IP LTM Specialist: Architect, Set Up and Deploy)
301b (BIG-IP LTM Specialist: Maintain and Troubleshoot)
302 (BIG-IP DNS Specialist)
303 (BIG-IP ASM Specialist)
304 (BIG-IP APM Specialist)

The old 101 and 201 exams are retired. F5CAB1 to F5CAB5 replaced them, and the F5CAB course covers all five.

F5 Distributed Cloud (XC) follows early 2027. For the 401 Security Solution Expert, I can help through 1:1 coaching.

What if I don't pass?

Then you get your money back.

If you complete the course, sit the exam twice within 90 days of buying it and fail both times, I refund the full course price. Send me a screenshot from your F5 candidate portal showing both attempts and that is it.

I offer this because I know the courses work. The full conditions are in the terms.

Is this training right for me?

If you want to pass F5 certifications or improve your real-world F5 skills, this training is for you. Whether you're a beginner looking to start with F5 or an experienced engineer needing advanced knowledge, my courses will help you reach your goal.

What is the format of your courses?

Step-by-step video lessons recorded on a live BIG-IP, scenario-based knowledge checks and practice exams, hands-on labs for real-world skills, and a private community where I answer your questions.

Every course comes in three packages: the course on its own; the course plus one hour of my time, which you can take as one session or two 30-minute sessions; or the course plus a live weekly Q&A with me for the length of your study. You can combine the weekly Q&A with the hour if you want both.

After many years of teaching I know that how a concept is delivered matters as much as what is taught. Every principle is explained so it's easy to understand, and once you understand something you don't need to memorise it. Understanding lasts. Memorisation fades.

How long does it take to complete a course?

Most students complete a course in 2 to 10 weeks, depending on how much time they commit each week. You get lifetime access, so you can fast-track or take your time.

If you get stuck, I'm here. You have the community, the weekly Q&A if you've chosen that package, and 1:1 coaching whenever you want it.

Do you offer 1:1 coaching?

Yes. If you want personalised support, I offer 1:1 coaching sessions tailored to your goals. Whether you're preparing for an F5 exam, struggling with a specific concept or working through a real production issue, I work through it with you directly.

Sessions are practical, focused and designed to move you forward fast. You can use them to:

Break down difficult topics
Review complex labs or real configs
Clarify study material from any of the courses
Get live answers to your questions
Prepare for interviews or certification exams

You won't be learning alone. You have direct access to my experience when it matters most.

Will I get a certificate for completing the course?

Yes. Every course includes a certificate of completion you can download and share on your CV, LinkedIn or with your employer.

It shows your progress and your commitment to building F5 expertise, even before you sit the official exam.

What makes this different from watching YouTube or reading the docs?

This isn't a collection of tutorials. It's structured, real-world training from someone who has worked with F5 in production since 2008 and built the applications behind it for thirty years.

As your teacher, I get to know your strengths, weak points and how you learn best, so I can give you the extra examples or explanations you need, delivered in the way that helps you grasp it fastest.

You're not just following along. You're being taught in a way that sticks and that you can apply with confidence.

Will the course benefit me if I'm in operations and not planning to take the exam right now?

Absolutely. This training is built for real-world use, not just exam prep. If you work in operations, you learn how to run F5 effectively in production, from troubleshooting to secure configuration.

And because I get to know how each student learns, I adapt explanations so they click fast, even if certification isn't your goal yet. You can always come back to the exam later; the skills you build now still move you forward.

Coaching

Anything I haven't covered: [email protected]

What can I use a 1:1 coaching session for?

Coaching sessions are flexible and tailored to you: exam prep, troubleshooting, config reviews, or a topic you're stuck on. When you book you can add notes and requirements. I review them in advance so I can hit the ground running and spend the time on what matters most to you.

How do I book a 1:1 session with you?

Start with the free 20-minute call. If a longer session is useful after that, book a one-hour 1:1 session from the Coaching page. You get a booking link to choose a time that works for you, and you can include notes about what you need help with so I can prepare.

How long is each coaching session, and what's the format?

The free discovery call is 20 minutes. A paid 1:1 session is 60 minutes, delivered through the coaching link inside the platform, no external tools needed, and recorded to your account. If your course package includes an hour of my time, you can take it as one 60-minute session or two 30-minute sessions. The format is focused entirely on you: configs, troubleshooting, exam prep, or whatever you're stuck on.

Is coaching included in the course or paid separately?

Both, depending on the package you choose. Every course is available on its own, with one hour of my 1:1 time added, or with a live weekly Q&A session with me while you study. You can also combine the weekly Q&A with the hour.

Outside a course package, 1:1 coaching is a separate product you can book at any time from the Coaching page, whether or not you're enrolled. Either way you get direct access to me, and every session is tailored to your goals.