About module-agent deployment

The core deployment method includes both module-agent and agent-only deployment options. With a module-agent deployment, you're responsible for managing your Next-Gen WAF deployment in your hosting environment.

The module-agent topology includes both the Signal Sciences module and the Signal Sciences agent components. The module listens for incoming requests and passes them to the agent for a decision. The agent decides whether the request should be permitted to continue, blocked, rate limited, or tagged with signals. After receiving a decision from the agent, the module then blocks, allows, or rate limits requests in accordance with that decision.

To set up a module-agent deployment, complete the following steps:

  1. Install the agent.
  2. Install the module.
  3. Verify the installation.

Installing the module

After installing the Signal Sciences agent, install the variation of the Signal Sciences module that is appropriate for your hosting environment. The module can exist as a plugin to your web server or as a language or framework specific implementation.

Web server module options

Web server module variations are installed to extend the request handling logic and communicate with the agent for subsequent advice. The web server module options are as follows:

Language and framework specific module (RASP) options

The language and framework specific module variations are installed at the application layer. The language and framework specific module options are as follows:

Open source module options

The open source module options are as follows:

When using an open source module, keep these things in mind:

  • The open source modules follow a self-service model. This means that they have a public-only development workflow and that Fastly will not update or provide technical support for the modules.
  • Per the MIT license included in each repository, you may use the open source modules without restriction.

Verifying your installation

After installing the agent and module, verify your installation:

  1. Log in to the Next-Gen WAF console.
  2. From the Sites menu, select a site if you have more than one site.
  3. Click Agents in the navigation bar near the top of the screen.
  4. Check the module version under Module to confirm the correct version is listed.
NOTE

Until there has been at least one request since the agent and module were installed, the module information won't be listed. Once there is traffic the module information will be populated.

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