F5 introduced BIG-IP Next Cloud-Native Network Functions (CNF) 2.0, a significant update to its Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) aimed at supporting high-bandwidth, AI-intensive applications across telecommunications, cloud service providers, and enterprise environments. Unveiled during Red Hat Summit 2025, the launch coincides with an expanded strategic collaboration between F5 and Red Hat focused on enabling scalable, secure AI deployments using Red Hat OpenShift AI.
BIG-IP Next CNF 2.0 provides scalable, Kubernetes-native network functions such as DDoS mitigation, CGNAT, firewall, DNS acceleration, and traffic optimization—all built to run efficiently within containerized environments. F5 says the platform reduces CPU utilization by 33%, consolidates infrastructure costs by over 60%, and enables separate scaling of data and control planes for greater flexibility. For service providers, this means more agile operations across 4G/5G networks, N6/SGi-LAN architectures, and edge environments, with enhanced support for AI-ready workloads.
Building on this foundation, F5 and Red Hat are collaborating to help enterprises operationalize AI through secure model serving, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) applications, and large-scale data ingestion. F5’s ADSP integrates with Red Hat OpenShift AI to address challenges in performance, observability, and API-first security—targeting use cases such as protecting against prompt injection, model theft, and data leakage. As part of the joint effort, F5’s Distributed Cloud WAAP and BIG-IP solutions will provide enforcement for AI pipelines while supporting flexible, multicloud deployments. The partnership underscores a shared commitment to open-source innovation and hybrid-cloud AI architecture.
• F5 launches BIG-IP Next CNF 2.0 with Kubernetes-native capabilities for secure, scalable network functions
• Features include disaggregated architecture, DNS acceleration, and unified security services (firewall, DDoS, IPS, CGNAT)
• Delivers 33% lower CPU use, over 60% infrastructure cost reduction, and edge-ready performance
• Optimized for high-bandwidth environments including telecom, ISP, cloud, and enterprise AI workloads
• Red Hat OpenShift integration enables consistent application deployment and advanced orchestration
• Expanded F5–Red Hat partnership supports AI use cases like RAG, secure model serving, and big data ingestion
• F5 provides API-first AI security to protect against prompt injection, model theft, and data exfiltration
• F5 and Red Hat to showcase joint solutions at Red Hat Summit 2025
“Our collaboration with Red Hat aims to simplify this journey by providing integrated solutions that address performance, security, and observability needs, enabling organizations to realize tangible AI outcomes,” said Kunal Anand, Chief Innovation Officer at F5.
- Cloud-Native Network Functions (CNFs) are modern, containerized versions of traditional network services—such as firewalls, DDoS protection, and load balancing—designed to run in Kubernetes-managed environments. Unlike Virtual Network Functions (VNFs), which are typically deployed on virtual machines, CNFs leverage the scalability, automation, and portability of cloud-native infrastructure. The Linux Foundation, through initiatives such as the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) and LF Networking, plays a central role in advancing CNF development by promoting open standards, interoperability, and best practices for telco-grade networking in cloud-native environments. This support has helped establish CNFs as a foundational building block for 5G, edge computing, and AI-driven network architectures.
