F5 Delivers Scalable and Secure Cloud-Native Network Functionality for AI and High-Bandwidth Applications

May 19, 2025 at 07:00 AM EDT

New F5 BIG-IP NEXT CNF 2.0 optimizes apps and APIs in Kubernetes environments

F5 (NASDAQ: FFIV), the global leader in delivering and securing every app and API, today unveiled F5 BIG-IP Next Cloud-Native Network Functions (CNF) 2.0, an evolved solution that significantly enhances the capabilities of the F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) for large-scale cloud-native applications. With advanced Kubernetes-native features, F5 BIG-IP Next CNF 2.0 redefines how organizations adapt to increasingly complex and resource-intensive operations caused by high-bandwidth applications such as AI by delivering scalable, resource-efficient, and secure network functionality for telecommunications service providers, internet service providers (ISPs), cloud service providers, and large enterprises.

Designed to support diverse industries—from telecommunications to cloud services—F5 BIG-IP Next CNF 2.0 helps organizations revolutionize high-bandwidth operations. Service providers can cut costs with more efficient resource allocation and scaling, mitigate modern security threats, and simplify management through Kubernetes-native automation. By integrating essential services such as DDoS protection, firewall, intrusion prevention system (IPS), and carrier-grade NAT (CGNAT), F5 BIG-IP Next CNF 2.0 empowers providers to consolidate network operations, safeguard infrastructure, and proactively scale amidst increasing traffic demands.

“Service providers and large enterprises are under pressure to scale faster, operate leaner, and stay secure—all in increasingly complex environments,” said Kunal Anand, Chief Innovation Officer at F5. “With BIG-IP Next CNF 2.0, we’re extending the F5 ADSP with a truly cloud-native solution built for modern, decentralized infrastructure. Unlike legacy virtualized approaches that burn resources, our Kubernetes-native architecture unlocks smarter scaling, stronger security, and more efficient delivery of high-bandwidth services—giving customers the flexibility to move faster without compromise.”

Raising the Bar for Cloud-Native Network Functions

Telecommunications and enterprise networks face an urgent need to balance escalating traffic volumes, tight budgets, and growing security threats—all within complex, distributed architectures. F5 BIG-IP Next CNF 2.0 directly addresses these challenges with tools that consolidate network functions, reduce resource consumption, and optimize scalability and security. Highlights of F5 BIG-IP Next CNF 2.0 include:

Disaggregation (DAG): Enables horizontal scalability for traffic steering and resource optimization.
Accelerated DNS: Offers faster query responses and reduced latency via caching and secure zone transfers.
Policy Enforcer: Integrates traffic optimization features like video acceleration, URL filtering, and context-aware controls.
Unified Security Services: Combines firewall, DDoS mitigation, IPS, and CGNAT for centralized management and robust protection.
Platform Enhancements: Maximizes flexibility with Kubernetes-native automation and separate scaling of control and data planes.

Optimized for Large Networks Across Industries

F5 BIG-IP Next CNF 2.0 helps telecommunications providers supercharge their 4G and 5G environments with advanced traffic steering and enhanced security tailored for N6/SGi-LAN architectures. ISPs benefit from capabilities like CGNAT to mitigate IPv4 shortages while boosting performance through system disaggregation. Cloud service providers gain the edge with scalable global server load balancing (GSLB) and AI-ready DNS features, ensuring seamless digital experiences. Enterprises, on the other hand, can power IT and SecOps teams with intelligent traffic optimization, robust DDoS defenses, and simplified policy enforcement for bandwidth-intensive applications, reinforcing their operational agility and security posture.

With 33% lower CPU utilization, F5 BIG-IP Next CNF 2.0 reduces operational costs and optimizes resource consumption. The solution’s independent scalability—allowing separate data and control plane scaling—ensures flexibility without bottlenecks, while its edge-ready and power-efficient architecture guarantees low latency and superior user experiences. Integrated security measures protect against large-scale network attacks, and Kubernetes-native automation streamlines workflows with API-driven deployments for faster, simplified operations.

F5 BIG-IP Next CNF 2.0 consolidates services to reduce infrastructure costs by over 60%. Disaggregation enables seamless scalability across CNF instances, while DNS acceleration minimizes latency for end users. Advanced traffic optimization ensures smooth performance during peak demand, empowering service providers to excel in high-bandwidth applications.

F5 BIG-IP Next CNF 2.0 + Red Hat OpenShift

This week at Red Hat Summit 2025, F5 is unveiling BIG-IP Next CNF 2.0 functionality on Red Hat OpenShift. BIG-IP Next CNF 2.0 is designed to work more seamlessly with Red Hat OpenShift, the industry’s leading hybrid cloud application platform powered by Kubernetes. Red Hat OpenShift delivers a critical foundation for service providers to more effectively deploy scalable cloud-native applications on a trusted, more consistent platform. By combining Red Hat OpenShift’s robust Kubernetes management capabilities with F5 BIG-IP Next CNF 2.0’s powerful network functions, service providers can scale their applications more efficiently while unlocking additional value, including advanced traffic handling, optimized security, and simplified usability. Many service providers already rely on Red Hat OpenShift for modern cloud-native operations.

Visit www.f5.com to learn more about how F5 enables transformational cloud-native operations for interconnected networks.

About F5

F5, Inc. (NASDAQ: FFIV) is the global leader that delivers and secures every app. Backed by three decades of expertise, F5 has built the industry’s premier platform—F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP)—to deliver and secure every app, every API, anywhere: on-premises, in the cloud, at the edge, and across hybrid, multicloud environments. F5 is committed to innovating and partnering with the world’s largest and most advanced organizations to deliver fast, available, and secure digital experiences. Together, we help each other thrive and bring a better digital world to life.

This press release contains forward-looking statements including, among other things, statements regarding potential benefits of F5 BIG-IP Next CNF 2.0, such as lower CPU utilization and infrastructure cost reductions. Each customer’s unique environment, objectives, and constraints could impact potential costs savings and resource consumption reduction benefits.

F5, BIG-IP, and BIG-IP Next are trademarks, service marks, or tradenames of F5, Inc., in the U.S. and other countries. All other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Red Hat, the Red Hat logo, and OpenShift are trademarks or registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries.

Source: F5, Inc.