F5 BIG-LTM I2600 vs. F5 BIG-LTM 4000S: A Technical Showdown for Enterprise-Class Load Balancing

Jun 25 , 2025 9

F5 BIG-LTM I2600 vs. F5 BIG-LTM 4000S: A Technical Showdown for Enterprise-Class Load Balancing

In the world of application delivery controllers (ADCs), F5 Networks’ BIG-LTM series dominates with scalability and reliability. However, selecting between the BIG-LTM I2600 and BIG-LTM 4000S hinges on balancing cost, performance, and future scalability. Here’s a detailed comparison to guide your decision.

1. Performance Benchmarks

2. Core Functionalities

Both models share foundational ADC capabilities:

• SSL/TLS Offloading: Accelerate encrypted traffic with dedicated crypto acceleration.

• Traffic Management: Advanced routing, caching, and compression.

• Security: Integrated DDoS protection and web application firewall (WAF).

4000S Exclusive Enhancements:

• Multi-Tenancy: Isolate workloads with granular partitioning for service providers.

• Predictive Analytics: Machine learning-driven insights for proactive scaling.

• Edge Computing Support: Direct integration with F5’s Distributed Cloud services.

3. Design & Aesthetics

• BIG-LTM I2600:

• Compact 1U rack-mount design with redundant power supplies.

• LED indicators for real-time status monitoring.

• Limited expansion slots (supports up to 4 service modules).

• BIG-LTM 4000S:

• 2U chassis engineered for high-density deployments.

• Redundant components (fans, power supplies, and network interfaces).

• Modular architecture with up to 8 expansion slots for 100GbE/400GbE cards.

4. User Experience

• Management Interface:

• Both offer intuitive GUI (F5 BIG-IP Configuration Utility) and CLI.

• 4000S adds iControl REST API and Ansible automation for DevOps integration.

• Troubleshooting:

• 4000S includes LiveDashboard for real-time analytics; I2600 relies on basic logs.

5. Pricing Structure

• BIG-LTM I2600:

• List Price: 20,000–30,000 (depending on licensing).

• ROI: Cost-effective for mid-sized enterprises needing core ADC features.

• BIG-LTM 4000S:

• List Price: 50,000–70,000+.

• Ideal For: Large enterprises requiring scalability, advanced security, and 24/7 uptime.

6. Battery Consumption

• BIG-LTM I2600:

• Moderate power draw (~500W) optimized for efficiency.

• ENERGY STAR® certified for green deployments.

• BIG-LTM 4000S:

• Higher power consumption (~1,500W) due to advanced hardware redundancy.

7. Compatibility & Scalability

• BIG-LTM I2600:

• Supports up to 4x 100GbE ports and 8x 40GbE ports.

• Limited to 16GB RAM and 4TB SSD storage.

• BIG-LTM 4000S:

• Expandable to 32x 100GbE ports and 16x 400GbE ports.

• Configurable with up to 64GB RAM and 8TB NVMe storage.

8. Software Ecosystem

• BIG-LTM I2600:

• Runs TMOS 16.x with standard feature sets.

• Annual software updates with security patches.

• BIG-LTM 4000S:

• Latest TMOS 17.x with AI/ML-driven optimization (e.g., Traffic Steering Advisor).

• Priority access to beta features and extended support contracts.

Final Verdict

• Choose BIG-LTM I2600 If:
  You need a balance of performance and affordability for traditional data center workloads.

• Choose BIG-LTM 4000S If:
  Your environment demands extreme scalability, AI-driven insights, and future-proof 400GbE readiness.

Pro Tip: Opt for the 4000S if your organization plans to adopt edge computing or hybrid cloud architectures within 3–5 years.