F5 buys MantisNet with the aim of expanding the observability capabilities within the F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform.
F5 has acquired MantisNet. MantisNet is a company specializing in real-time network observation via eBPF (extended Berkeley Packet Filter) technology. The technology enables low-level network monitoring and functionality in a cloud native context.
Especially encrypted and temporary connections in container environments escape traditional monitoring tools. MantisNet uses eBPF to gain insight into network activity directly at the kernel level, without performance loss.
Integration
F5 will integrate MantisNet into the F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP). This should ultimately give customers better visibility into encrypted and ephemeral network traffic in their cloud native environments.
The acquisition should enable F5 to expand its cloud native networking functionality with deeper observability capabilities. This should help customers enforce policies, secure traffic within containers, and meet compliance requirements through automated packet capture and data storage.
A core component of MantisNet is the Containerized Visibility Fabric (CVF). This technology provides real-time insights into container traffic. CVF is primarily positioned for use in dynamic environments such as 5G and multi-tenant infrastructures.
According to F5, the acquisition will lead to a platform that brings together observation and security into a single entity. The combination of automated insights and policy enforcement should ensure faster deployment of services and increased security in cloud-native applications.