iRule to load balance by browser type

See this post:

• https://devcentral.f5.com/questions/virtual-server-with-multiple-pools-distribute-based-on-browser-types

and this post:

• https://devcentral.f5.com/questions/irule-to-distribute-based-on-user-agent

Thanks Vernon. Appreciate the assist.

Jeffrey

I received some updated needs for this iRule. They intend to use the same VIP larrymoecurly.mysite.com, the same pool, the same nodes, but direct the client to a separate login based on the browser. So, if using Firefox and Safari, they want the client to go to larrymoecurly.mysite.com/wfc/login. If using IE, then translate the URL larrymoecurly.mysite.com/wfc/loginIEHere. One VIP/Pool/Node(s).

Has there been an iRule created that will work based on borwser, AND send it off to a specific URL ?

Thanks.

Absolutely. The easiest way is to send an HTTP Redirect to the client:

• HTTP::redirect command

If you prefer to transparent rewrite the URI:

• HTTP::uri command

Do I insert two iRules for the VIP, or combine the two you've answered with? Thanks for your help.

You can simply combine the two. This is an incomplete example, but should get you heading where you need:

when HTTP_REQUEST {
    if { [HTTP::uri] eq "/"} {
        switch -glob [HTTP::header value "User-Agent"] {
            "*MSIE 6*" -
            "*MSIE 7*" -
            "*MSIE 8*" {
                HTTP::redirect "http://larrymoecurly.mysite.com/wfc/loginIEHere"
            }
            default {
                HTTP::redirect "http://larrymoecurly.mysite.com/wfc/login"
            }
        }
    }
}

It would be possibly fruitful to read this article:

• https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Browser_detection_using_the_user_agent

If it's possible, it may be more robust to have the client use Javascript to determine the version then insert that information in the request, in a header, or in a Cookie. This may be more reliable (and flexible) than using the User-Agent string.

Finally, if you are using at least 11.4.0, you can likely achieve what you want by using Local Traffic Policies:

• SOL15085: Overview of the Local Traffic Policies feature

Vernon,

Thanks so much for the assist. Learning all this admin stuff on the fly. Hopefully get to F5 training soon. Much appreciated. Jeffrey