Configure HTTP/2 Support

Published April 5, 2023 | Last modified November 20, 2024

Objective

This document provides instructions on how to enable HTTP/2 support for your application. The HTTP/2 reduces latency and enhances efficiency for web-based applications.

Using the instructions provided in this guide, you can enable HTTP/2 connections for your services provisioned using F5® Distributed Cloud Services HTTP Load Balancers and Origin Pools. For more information on virtual hosts, see Origin Pools.

Prerequisites

The following prerequisites apply:

A valid Account is required.

Note: If you do not have an account, see Create an Account.

A origin pool acting as a proxy for a service

Note: If you do not have a origin pool configured, see Create Origin Pools.

Enable HTTP/2 Support Using Origin Pool

Enabling HTTP/2 support using origin pool is achieved by creating the origin pool of type TCP Proxy with SNI. The origin pool needs to be attached to HTTP Load Balancer.

Note: HTTP & TCP proxy types support through virtual host is removed, they are now supported only through Load Balancers menu. Enabling HTTP/2 for HTTP Load Balancer is supported only through API.

Perform the following to create origin pool for your service with HTTP/2 support:

Step 1: Log into F5 Distributed Cloud Console with your tenant credentials, Open Origin Pool.

Open F5 Distributed Cloud Console homepage, select Multi-Cloud App Connect box.

Figure: F5 Console Homepage

Note: Homepage is role based, and your homepage may look different due to your role customization. Select All Services drop-down menu to discover all options, or customize settings in Account (Administration > Personal Management > My Account) > Account Settings > Work domains and skill level > Edit work domain & skills button > select boxes (Advanced to add more options) > Save changes button.

Select Manage in left column menu > select Load Balancers > Origin Pools.

Note: Confirm Namespace feature, if available in service, is on correct namespace, drop-down selector located in upper-left corner.

Select Add Origin Pool button.

Figure: Open Origin Pool

Note: If options are not showing available select Advanced nav options visible Show link in bottom left corner. Select Hide to minimize options from Advanced nav options mode if needed.

Step 2: Setup Origin Pool.

Start creating Origin Pool.

Note: HTTP & TCP proxy types support through virtual host is removed, they are now supported only through Load Balancers menu.

Enter Name.
Enter Labels and Description as needed.

Figure: Setup Origin Pools

Select TLS drop-down menu, select Enable option.

Note: Option to Disable/Enable HTTP2 is available only for HTTPS LB as it is part of ALPN negotiation in TLS client.

Figure: Setup Origin Pools

Select SNI Selection drop-down menu, select SNI Value.
Enter SNI Value.

Figure: Setup Origin Pools

Select MTLS with Origin Servers drop-down menu, select Enable option.
Select Configure link in Enable section.
Select + Add Item button in TLS Certificates box.
Select Configure link in Private Key section.
Setup Secret Type.
Select Apply button.
Select Apply button.
Select Apply button.

Step 3: Enable HTTP/2 in Origin Pools Other Settings.

Setup Proxy Protocol Options in Proxy Type HTTPS with Proxy Type Https Auto Certs.

In Other Settings select HTTP Protocol Configuration in Miscellaneous Options to enable HTTP/2 configuration.

Select Configure link in Other Settings section.
Go to Miscellaneous Options section.

Figure: Origin Pools

Select HTTP Protocol Configuration drop-down menu:
- Automatic
- HTTP/2 Configuration

Note: HTTP/2 Enabled box is checked by default.

Figure: Enable HTTP/2

Select Apply button.
Select Save and Exit button.

Note: The origin pool needs to be attached to HTTP Load Balancer.

Step 4: Edit Origin Pool in HTTP/2.

Note: You can edit origin pool settings in this step from HTTP/2.

In Manage > Load Balancers > HTTP Load Balancers of Multi-CLoud App Connect service.

Figure: HTTP/2

Select ... in Actions column of HTTP Load Balancer.
Select Manage Configuration.

Figure: HTTP/2

Select Edit Configuration.
Select + Add Item button in Origin Pools section.
Select Origin Pool drop-down menu.
Select origin pool you created or want to add to the HTTP/2.
Select Edit Configuration to edit or add any needed items, refer to steps 2 and 3.
Configure all Origin Pool settings. See, Origin Pools.
Select Apply button.

Figure: HTTP/2 Origin Pools

Select Save and Exit button to apply HTTP/2 to HTTP Load Balancer.

Step 5: Add Origin Pool to HTTP Load Balancer.

Origin pool needs to be attached to HTTP Load Balancer.

Concepts

API References

HTTP LB

Configure HTTP/2 Support

Objective

Prerequisites

Enable HTTP/2 Support Using Origin Pool

Concepts

API References

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