F5 BIG-IP LTM i2800 vs F5 BIG-IP i4600: Mid-Range vs High-Performance ADC Comparison

When selecting between F5 Networks' application delivery controllers, the BIG-IP LTM i2800 and BIG-IP i4600 offer distinct capabilities for different network environments. This detailed comparison examines their technical specifications, operational performance, and ideal use cases to help network architects make informed decisions.

Technical Specifications Comparison

The i4600 demonstrates 40-60% better performance across key metrics, while the i2800 provides a more cost-effective solution for medium workloads.

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

i2800 Strengths:

• More power-efficient

• Compact 1RU form factor

• Lower acquisition cost

2. Security & Traffic Management

• i4600 excels in:

• High-volume traffic management

• Advanced rate shaping

• Detailed traffic analytics

• i2800 optimized for:

• Standard security policies

• Moderate traffic loads

• Basic WAF configurations

Physical Design Comparison

Chassis Architecture:

• i4600:

• 1RU enterprise design

• Front-accessible ports

• Data center optimized

• i2800:

• 1RU compact form factor

• Space-efficient design

• Office-friendly footprint

Environmental Specifications:

• Operating temperature:

• Both: 0°C to 40°C

• Physical dimensions:

• i4600: 1RU, 17.5" deep

• i2800: 1RU, 15" deep

• Weight:

• i4600: 22 lbs

• i2800: 18 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

• i2800 ideal for:

• Simpler configurations

• Single-site deployments

• Lower administrative overhead

Pricing & Cost Analysis

Acquisition Costs:

• i2800: 25,000−32,000

• i4600: 35,000−45,000

Operational Expenditures:

• Power consumption difference: ~$75/year

• Support contracts:

• Similar licensing models

Five-Year TCO Considerations:

• i4600 justified for:

• Growing enterprises

• Performance-sensitive apps

• Future expansion

• i2800 economical for:

• Fixed workloads

• Budget-conscious projects

• Secondary sites

Power Efficiency Metrics

Energy Usage:

• i4600: 220W (peak)

• i2800: 160W (peak)

Efficiency Comparison:

• Performance per watt:

• i4600: 90 Mbps/W

• i2800: 75 Mbps/W

• Idle power draw:

• i4600: 120W

• i2800: 90W

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 Versions:

• Both run TMOS 16.x+

• Support iRules customization

Future Development:

• i4600 prioritized for:

• Cloud ADC features

• Enhanced analytics

• i2800 receives:

• Core updates

• Security patches

Final Recommendation

Choose i4600 When:
✔ Handling 1M+ connections
✔ Need 20G+ throughput
✔ Running critical applications
✔ Planning future growth

Select i2800 When:
✔ Managing medium traffic
✔ Require cost efficiency
✔ Deploying in space-limited areas
✔ Running standard workloads

Both deliver F5's proven ADC technology, with the i4600 offering superior performance and the i2800 providing excellent value for mid-range needs.