F5 BIG-IP i5800 vs. VPR-LTM C2400-AC: Which Application Delivery Controller Reigns Supreme?

Jun 26 , 2025 5

F5 BIG-IP i5800 vs. VPR-LTM C2400-AC: Which Application Delivery Controller Reigns Supreme?

When architecting modern application infrastructures, F5’s BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager (LTM) stands as a cornerstone. But selecting between the i5800 (physical appliance) and VPR-LTM C2400-AC (virtual edition) demands a nuanced comparison. Here’s a granular breakdown to inform your decision.

1. Performance Benchmarks

Why it matters: The i5800 excels for edge deployments with fixed bandwidth needs, while the VPR-C2400-AC scales dynamically for cloud-native apps.

2. Feature Matrix

Key differentiator: The VPR-C2400-AC’s container-native support accelerates microservices deployments.

3. Design & Form Factor

• i5800: 1 RU rack-mount, 2 expansion slots, passive cooling.

• VPR-C2400-AC: 100% software-defined, deployable on x86 servers or public clouds.

Why choose VPR? Zero hardware constraints for hybrid environments (on-premises + AWS/Azure).

4. User Experience

• i5800: GUI-driven with limited automation; ideal for static environments.

• VPR-C2400-AC: Deep CLI scripting, Ansible/Terraform integration, and F5 Automation Toolchain for CI/CD.

Real-world win: Enterprises adopt the VPR-C2400-AC for its zero-downtime upgrades via blue-green deployments.

5. Pricing Structure

• i5800: ~30k-50k (CAPEX-heavy upfront).

• VPR-C2400-AC: 15k-30k/year (OPEX model with licensing flexibility).

ROI insight: The VPR-C2400-AC pays for itself in 18-24 months through scalability and reduced hardware maintenance.

**6. Battery Consumption? Not Exactly…**

Neither model uses batteries, but the VPR-C2400-AC’s hypervisor-native efficiency slashes data center power costs by 40% vs. physical appliances.

7. Compatibility Showdown

Edge case: The VPR-C2400-AC natively integrates with Kubernetes Ingress Controllers for containerized apps.

8. Software Muscle

Both run TMOS, F5’s legendary OS, but the VPR-C2400-AC adds:

• iApps LX Templates for rapid app deployment.

• NGINX App Protect for web application firewalling.

• SD-WAN Overlay for hybrid architectures.

Final Verdict

• Buy the i5800 if: You prioritize simplicity for branch offices or small data centers with stable workloads.

• Choose the VPR-C2400-AC if: You’re future-proofing for cloud-native apps, multi-cloud sprawl, or dynamic scaling needs.

One last question: Does your environment demand adaptive security and frictionless scalability? If yes, the VPR-C2400-AC’s pay-as-you-grow model delivers unmatched agility.