VMware NSX Advanced Load Balancer: Web Application Firewall Security Course Overview

VMware NSX Advanced Load Balancer: Web Application Firewall Security Course Overview

The VMware NSX Advanced Load Balancer: Web Application Firewall Security course offers a comprehensive look at the NSX Advanced Load Balancer (NSX ALB), focusing on its Web Application Firewall (WAF) capabilities. It provides learners with an understanding of the NSX ALB's architecture, components, and the fundamental principles of Application security. The course explores various Attack vectors against web applications, such as XSS and SQL injection, and demonstrates how to defend against them using NSX ALB's WAF features.

Through lessons on Virtual services configuration, Profiles and policies, and Advanced WAF components, learners gain hands-on experience in securing applications. They will also delve into Application learning, DDOS protection, Custom rules, and best practices. This course is valuable for IT professionals looking to enhance their skills in network security, Application delivery, and Web application protection. By the end of the course, participants will be proficient in deploying and managing NSX ALB's WAF to safeguard their organization’s applications.

CoursePage_session_icon

Successfully delivered 2 sessions for over 2 professionals

Purchase This Course

1,550

  • Live Training (Duration : 24 Hours)
  • Per Participant
  • Guaranteed-to-Run (GTR)
  • Classroom Training price is on request
  • date-img
  • date-img

♱ Excluding VAT/GST

You can request classroom training in any city on any date by Requesting More Information

  • Live Training (Duration : 24 Hours)
  • Per Participant
  • Classroom Training price is on request

♱ Excluding VAT/GST

You can request classroom training in any city on any date by Requesting More Information

Request More Information

Email:  WhatsApp:

Koenig's Unique Offerings

Koenig Solutions bagged the VMware partner of the year award 2023 for its contribution towards their learning business

Course Prerequisites

To successfully undertake training in the VMware NSX Advanced Load Balancer: Web Application Firewall Security course, participants are expected to meet the following minimum prerequisites:


  • Basic understanding of networking concepts, including switching, routing, and the OSI model.
  • Familiarity with common web application technologies and components such as HTTP, HTTPS, web servers, and databases.
  • Knowledge of fundamental security concepts, including firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and encryption.
  • Experience with VMware vSphere (ESXi and vCenter) is beneficial, as NSX Advanced Load Balancer is often deployed in VMware environments.
  • Prior exposure to VMware NSX or other network virtualization solutions is helpful but not mandatory.
  • Basic knowledge of application delivery controllers (ADCs) and load balancing concepts would be an advantage.

Please note that this course is designed to build upon existing IT knowledge and experience. While these prerequisites are the minimum required, additional hands-on experience in network and security administration will enhance your understanding and mastery of the course material.


Target Audience for VMware NSX Advanced Load Balancer: Web Application Firewall Security

  1. The VMware NSX Advanced Load Balancer course focuses on WAF security, catering to IT professionals managing application delivery and security.


    • Network Engineers and Architects
  • Security Specialists and Analysts


  • System Administrators managing VMware environments


  • IT Professionals working with web application infrastructure


  • Cybersecurity Professionals focusing on application security


  • DevOps Engineers involved in CI/CD pipelines with security integration


  • Cloud Infrastructure Engineers


  • Data Center Operations Staff


  • Technical Support Staff for virtualized environments


  • Compliance and Risk Management Officers


  • Technical Consultants specializing in VMware products and solutions


  • Application Developers with an interest in security best practices


  • IT Managers overseeing network and security operations


  • Professionals seeking to advance their knowledge in web application firewalls (WAF)




Learning Objectives - What you will Learn in this VMware NSX Advanced Load Balancer: Web Application Firewall Security?

Introduction to the Course's Learning Outcomes:

This VMware NSX Advanced Load Balancer: Web Application Firewall Security course equips participants with key skills to secure applications through advanced load balancing and WAF strategies.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes:

  • Understand the architecture and components of the NSX Advanced Load Balancer, including management, control, data, and consumption planes.
  • Learn the use cases and benefits of the NSX Advanced Load Balancer Web Application Firewall.
  • Configure basic and advanced virtual services components such as Application Profiles, Network Profiles, Pools, and Health Monitors.
  • Gain insight into the methodologies and tools used for attacking and defending web applications, including understanding common threats like XSS and SQL injection.
  • Deep dive into Application Profiles and Types, including configuring advanced HTTP Profile options and SSL Profiles and Certificates.
  • Introduce the concept of datascripts for customizing application delivery by manipulating data within the NSX Advanced Load Balancer.
  • Explore the core rule set of the NSX ALB Web Application Firewall and its history, rationale, and description.
  • Learn to create and implement custom iWAF rules, including the language, use cases, and error handling.
  • Understand the iWAF operations, including application onboarding, policy tuning, log analytics, and false positive mitigation.
  • Provide best practices for iWAF implementation to achieve optimal security results while managing rate limiting functionalities and DDoS protection strategies.

Technical Topic Explanation

Web Application Firewall (WAF)

A Web Application Firewall (WAF) is a security barrier that stands between a web application and the internet. It monitors, filters, and blocks harmful traffic or data breaches before they reach the web server. This is key to preventing attacks such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS). By providing a set of rules, a WAF can distinguish between safe and potentially harmful requests, enhancing the security of web applications and protecting them from various cyber threats. Essentially, it acts as a gatekeeper that ensures only legitimate traffic can access the web application.

NSX Advanced Load Balancer (NSX ALB)

The NSX Advanced Load Balancer (NSX ALB), formerly known as Avi Advanced Load Balancer, optimizes the distribution of traffic across multiple servers in a network. This technology enhances application performance and reliability by efficiently managing the load to prevent any single server from being overwhelmed. Originally developed by Avi Networks and now part of VMware's NSX portfolio, NSX ALB is a key solution for modern data centers, offering features like real-time analytics, automation, and scalability. It is particularly suitable for professionals seeking to undertake a VMware NSX course or specifically the NSX T training to master advanced networking and security.

Application security

Application security involves measures and processes that protect software applications from threats and attacks. It covers the security considerations necessary during application development and design, but also includes tools and methods to protect apps after they are deployed. This security discipline is vital as it helps safeguard sensitive data from being stolen or hijacked by unauthorized users. Effective application security involves various practices like regular code reviews, security testing, and critical updates to ensure the software is free of vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cybercriminals.

SQL injection

SQL injection is a security vulnerability that occurs when an attacker adds malicious SQL code to input fields designed for user data, such as login forms. By doing so, the attacker can manipulate the database backing the application to access unauthorized information, modify or delete data, or execute administrative operations on the database. Preventing SQL injection involves validating and sanitizing user inputs and using secure database programming practices like parameterized queries and prepared statements. This technique ensures that user inputs cannot alter the structure of executed SQL queries.

Attack vectors against web applications

Attack vectors against web applications are methods or pathways that malicious attackers use to exploit vulnerabilities in web applications. These can include SQL injection, where attackers manipulate a database through its code layer, or cross-site scripting (XSS), which allows attackers to inject harmful scripts into web pages viewed by other users. Attackers might also use phishing to deceive users into providing sensitive information, or denial-of-service attacks that overwhelm the application, making it unavailable. Proper web security measures and regular updates are crucial in protecting against these attacks and ensuring the integrity and availability of web applications.

Virtual services configuration

Virtual services configuration involves setting up and managing services in a digital environment instead of physical hardware. This typically requires configuring load balancers, which distribute network or application traffic across multiple servers, ensuring efficiency and reliability of service delivery. Platforms like VMware NSX-T offer advanced solutions for creating virtual networks and services, including integrating powerful tools like the AVI Advanced Load Balancer. This helps maintain smooth operations and optimal performance in virtualized networks, making it an essential skill in modern IT infrastructure management.

Profiles and policies

Profiles and policies in technology contexts refer to predefined settings and rules that manage how software and devices operate within a network. Profiles determine the configuration for systems or applications, ensuring they perform optimally and securely. Policies, on the other hand, set the guidelines or limitations for user behaviors and system operations, enforcing compliance and security standards. Together, profiles and policies facilitate efficient, secure IT management and operational consistency across an organization, crucial for systems like VMware NSX and network solutions such as load balancers.

Custom rules

Custom rules in technology typically refer to user-defined parameters or configurations that help govern how software systems operate. These rules can be set to enhance security, manage traffic, automate tasks, or optimize system performance according to specific needs. For instance, in network security via VMware NSX-T, custom rules can dictate how data traffic is monitored and controlled, enhancing protection and efficiency. Similarly, in load balancing scenarios, such as with the Avi Advanced Load Balancer, custom rules can optimize resource distribution and service availability, ensuring that the network can efficiently handle varying loads and prevent downtime.

Advanced WAF components

Advanced WAF (Web Application Firewall) components are used to protect web applications from various cyber threats. These components analyze incoming traffic to your web application to block malicious attacks such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and other exploit attempts while allowing legitimate traffic through. Advanced WAFs improve security by using techniques like IP reputation, attack signatures, behavioral analysis, and machine learning. They also support SSL/TLS offloading, which enhances performance by reducing the load on your web application servers. Moreover, they can provide detailed reports and logs for analysis, helping organizations to meet compliance requirements and enhance their security posture.

Application learning

Application learning involves teaching software systems to improve their functioning through user interaction and data input over time. As applications operate, they gather valuable usage data, which is analyzed to identify patterns, errors, or opportunities for enhancement. This process enables applications to become more efficient, user-friendly, and tailored to specific user needs, leading to more personalized experiences and streamlined operations. It is particularly relevant in complex network environments where technologies like VMware NSX and various load balancer systems, such as Avi Networks solutions, play critical roles in optimizing data flow and application delivery.

DDOS protection

DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) protection is a security measure used to safeguard websites and networks from DDoS attacks. These attacks overwhelm a system with a flood of internet traffic to disrupt normal operations. DDoS protection mitigates these risks by detecting and filtering excessive traffic, often using advanced algorithms and traffic management techniques. Techniques can include rate limiting, traffic analysis, and anomaly detection to ensure legitimate users maintain access while malicious efforts are blocked. Robust DDoS protection is crucial for maintaining online services active and responsive, safeguarding them from downtime and potential data breaches.

Application delivery

Application delivery in technology refers to the process of making software applications available to end-users. It typically involves development, packaging, distribution, and management of applications across various computing environments. Modern application delivery can utilize technologies like the Avi Advanced Load Balancer to optimize efficiency and performance. This includes balancing website or application traffic to ensure high availability and consistent user experience. This process is critical for businesses to ensure that their applications are always accessible and performing well, which directly impacts end-user satisfaction and business continuity.

Web application protection

Web application protection involves securing online applications from threats that could steal data, deface websites, or spread malware. This is crucial because as businesses grow, they increasingly move functions online, making web applications a prime target for attacks. Techniques include firewalls, regular security audits, vulnerability scans, and using security policies that dictate safe coding practices. Additionally, monitoring and promptly updating software to patch any identified weaknesses is key to safeguarding information. Companies may further enhance security by employing specialized web application firewalls that screen and block suspicious activity, ensuring a robust defense against potential cyber threats.

Target Audience for VMware NSX Advanced Load Balancer: Web Application Firewall Security

  1. The VMware NSX Advanced Load Balancer course focuses on WAF security, catering to IT professionals managing application delivery and security.


    • Network Engineers and Architects
  • Security Specialists and Analysts


  • System Administrators managing VMware environments


  • IT Professionals working with web application infrastructure


  • Cybersecurity Professionals focusing on application security


  • DevOps Engineers involved in CI/CD pipelines with security integration


  • Cloud Infrastructure Engineers


  • Data Center Operations Staff


  • Technical Support Staff for virtualized environments


  • Compliance and Risk Management Officers


  • Technical Consultants specializing in VMware products and solutions


  • Application Developers with an interest in security best practices


  • IT Managers overseeing network and security operations


  • Professionals seeking to advance their knowledge in web application firewalls (WAF)




Learning Objectives - What you will Learn in this VMware NSX Advanced Load Balancer: Web Application Firewall Security?

Introduction to the Course's Learning Outcomes:

This VMware NSX Advanced Load Balancer: Web Application Firewall Security course equips participants with key skills to secure applications through advanced load balancing and WAF strategies.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes:

  • Understand the architecture and components of the NSX Advanced Load Balancer, including management, control, data, and consumption planes.
  • Learn the use cases and benefits of the NSX Advanced Load Balancer Web Application Firewall.
  • Configure basic and advanced virtual services components such as Application Profiles, Network Profiles, Pools, and Health Monitors.
  • Gain insight into the methodologies and tools used for attacking and defending web applications, including understanding common threats like XSS and SQL injection.
  • Deep dive into Application Profiles and Types, including configuring advanced HTTP Profile options and SSL Profiles and Certificates.
  • Introduce the concept of datascripts for customizing application delivery by manipulating data within the NSX Advanced Load Balancer.
  • Explore the core rule set of the NSX ALB Web Application Firewall and its history, rationale, and description.
  • Learn to create and implement custom iWAF rules, including the language, use cases, and error handling.
  • Understand the iWAF operations, including application onboarding, policy tuning, log analytics, and false positive mitigation.
  • Provide best practices for iWAF implementation to achieve optimal security results while managing rate limiting functionalities and DDoS protection strategies.