[mlrhazi]

1: How did you export? and did you try to import into a different unit?

4: In over 10 years of using F5 never seen a reboot break a config. The part about needing reboot to make a config change apply might be https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K13253. In short F5 keeps the old config in RAM and applies it to existing connections. when the latter expire, the old config is gone. Can be very annoying indeed when you are not aware of it. You can delete connections manually though. No need for reboot.

3/5: Yes, all their releases have a list of all known issues. It's a bit odd indeed, but I think it's a good thing. Plan your upgrades carefully.

[kayfox]

Existing connections using the config when they were initiated is intended to prevent inconsistencies when changes are being made, these inconsistencies could lead to connections being dropped en mass after a config change.