F5 BIG-IP LTM 3600-4G-R vs i4600: Compact vs Mid-Range ADC Performance Breakdown

When selecting between F5 Networks' application delivery controllers, the BIG-IP LTM 3600-4G-R (compact model) and BIG-IP i4600 (mid-range solution) offer distinct capabilities for different network environments. This comprehensive comparison examines their technical specifications, operational performance, and ideal deployment scenarios to help network professionals make informed purchasing decisions.

Technical Specifications Comparison

The i4600 demonstrates 2x greater performance metrics in most categories compared to the LTM 3600-4G-R, making it better suited for growing enterprise environments.

Functional Capabilities Analysis

1. Core ADC Features

Both models support:

• Layer 4-7 load balancing

• SSL/TLS offloading

• Application health monitoring

• Web application firewall

• DNS load balancing

i4600 Advantages:

• Higher connection capacity

• Better SSL inspection throughput

• More advanced traffic shaping

• Enhanced DDoS protection

LTM 3600-4G-R Strengths:

• More power-efficient

• Compact 1RU form factor

• Lower acquisition cost

2. Security & Traffic Management

• i4600 excels in:

• High-volume traffic inspection

• Advanced rate shaping

• Detailed performance analytics

• LTM 3600-4G-R optimized for:

• Standard security policies

• Moderate traffic loads

• Basic WAF configurations

Physical Design Comparison

Chassis Architecture:

• LTM 3600-4G-R:

• 1RU compact design

• Single power supply

• Front-accessible ports

• Office-friendly footprint

• i4600:

• 1RU enterprise chassis

• More robust cooling

• Higher port density

• Data center optimized

Environmental Specifications:

• Operating temperature:

• Both: 0°C to 40°C

• Physical dimensions:

• Both: 1RU, 17.5" deep

• Weight:

• LTM 3600-4G-R: 17 lbs

• i4600: 20 lbs

User Experience Evaluation

Administration & Management:
Both utilize:

• F5 TMOS operating system

• Web-based GUI

• tmsh CLI

• REST API support

Operational Differences:

• i4600 better for:

• Complex traffic policies

• High-availability setups

• Multi-site deployments

• LTM 3600-4G-R ideal for:

• Simpler configurations

• Single-site deployments

• Lower administrative overhead

Pricing & Cost Analysis

Acquisition Costs:

• LTM 3600-4G-R: 22,000−28,000

• i4600: 35,000−45,000

Operational Expenditures:

• Power consumption difference: ~$80/year

• Support contracts:

• Similar licensing models

Five-Year TCO Considerations:

• i4600 justified for:

• Growing businesses

• Performance-sensitive apps

• Future expansion

• LTM 3600-4G-R economical for:

• Fixed workloads

• Small office deployments

• Budget-conscious projects

Power Efficiency Metrics

Energy Usage:

• LTM 3600-4G-R: 140W (peak)

• i4600: 220W (peak)

Efficiency Comparison:

• Performance per watt:

• LTM 3600-4G-R: 71 Mbps/W

• i4600: 90 Mbps/W

• Idle power draw:

• LTM 3600-4G-R: 90W

• i4600: 120W

Compatibility & Expansion

Third-Party Integration:
Both support:

• VMware, Hyper-V

• Cloud platforms

• Automation tools

i4600 Advantages:

• More interface options

• Better scalability

• Advanced SDN support

Software Support & Roadmap

Current Software Features:

• Both run TMOS 16.x+

• Support iRules customization

Future Development:

• i4600 prioritized for:

• Core feature updates

• Security enhancements

• LTM 3600-4G-R receives:

• Maintenance updates

• Basic security patches

Final Recommendation

Choose LTM 3600-4G-R When:
✔ Small to medium business needs
✔ Budget under $30,000
✔ Light to moderate traffic
✔ Space-constrained deployments

Select i4600 When:
✔ Medium enterprise requirements
✔ Need 20G throughput
✔ Planning for growth
✔ Require better performance

Implementation Strategy:
For organizations anticipating expansion, the i4600 provides better long-term value, while the LTM 3600-4G-R serves well for fixed, small-to-medium scale deployments. Consider future traffic growth when selecting between these models.

Key Differentiators:

1. Performance: i4600 handles 2x more traffic

2. Scalability: Better growth potential

3. Features: More advanced capabilities

4. Cost: LTM 3600-4G-R more affordable upfront

Both deliver F5's reliable ADC technology at different performance tiers, with the i4600 offering better value for growing organizations and the LTM 3600-4G-R serving basic to moderate needs at a lower cost point.