Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) Boot Server

A Preboot Execution Environment (PXE), often pronounced as "pixie" or "pixie reboot" is a client-server interface that enables the computers in a network to be booted from a server.

Using PXE boot, the OS can directly be loaded into the computers from a server instead of a CD or hard disk. Additionally, a Preboot Execution Environment can ensure faster and more seamless installation of operating systems on computers, thus facilitating OS deployments across numerous computers.

In this article:

• What is Preboot Execution Environment (PXE)?
• How does PXE boot work?
• DHCP configuration process for PXE
• How is PXE used?
• PXE Boot Process
• Prerequisites for PXE Boot
• PXE server in OS Deployer
• How to create a PXE bootable media using OS Deployer?

What is Preboot Execution Environment (PXE)?

Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) is simply put the phenomenon of booting your desktops and laptops from the network. Thus, you can simultaneously boot multiple machines in your Local Area Network (LAN) using a DHCP server.

How does PXE boot work?

Before a PXE network boot, the DHCP server/scope Options 66 and 67 should be configured. Refer to this document to learn how to configure different DHCP servers easily. After the client computer is assigned an IP address, the PXE boot process starts.

DHCP configuration process for PXE

• The client computer sends a 'discover' packet in the form of a broadcast requesting network configuration. This packet will be received by the DHCP server.
• An 'offer' packet will be sent from a DHCP server to the client. After analyzing the 'offer', the client will be assigned the network parameters like IP address, subnet mask, etc.

How is PXE used?

Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) is mainly used to boot computers using a network rather than local storage devices like hard drives or USBs. It supports a wide range of systems such as servers and VMs as well as operating systems such as Windows 10 and Linux.

In PXE, the client machines send a request to a DHCP server to fetch the network configurations, including the address of a TFTP server. The TFTP server then sends boot files to the client, allowing it to boot up and install operating systems or perform diagnostics remotely.

PXE offers varied benefits to enterprises including:

1. Rapid OS deployment on multiple systems over the network, thereby saving time.
2. Quick disaster recovery via automated recovery process.
3. Remote issue diagnosis and troubleshooting.

 

By negating the need for physical media, the Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) simplifies the process, making it much faster and scalable, thereby making it an ideal solution for IT administrators.​

PXE Boot Process

• The client will notify the DHCP, that it is using the PXE boot server. The DHCP server will send the Next Boot Server's IP address(Option 66) and the Boot Filename(Option 67) to the client.
• The client will contact the PXE boot server and request the boot files.
• The PXE boot server will send the boot files to the client through the Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP).
• In the DHCP server, Options 66 and 67 can be configured under scope or server options. This aids in the loading and launching of the boot files for the client computer.

Prerequisites for PXE Boot

The PXE boot process requires the following components for a seamless procedure:

• DHCP Server
• PXE Server(This will be automatically installed by OS Deployer)
• PXE bootable media(This must be created and published to the respective remote office)

These PXE boot components will help you ensure a successful booting process.

PXE server in OS Deployer

OS Deployer supports the use of network boot servers like PXE servers for the users to boot their computers from a network.

• In Manage Engine OS Deployer, the PXE boot server runs as a separate Windows Service, named 'ManageEngine OS Deployer PXE Server'.
• To learn more about how to configure your DHCP for Preboot Execution Environment, click here.

How to create a PXE bootable media using OS Deployer?

Let us now discuss how to create a PXE bootable media to be used during the PXE boot:

1. Navigate to Deployment-> Create Bootable Media. Click Create Bootable Media and select PXE.

1. Furnish the required details like name, WinPE tool installed location, drivers, etc., and click Create Bootable Media.

1. You have now successfully created a PXE bootable media.

The following video will give you more detailed information on the steps to create a PXE bootable media.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does PXE boot stand for?

PXE boot stands for Preboot Execution Environment which is a network booting process using a DHCP server or a TFTP server. This is a client-server-based protocol that allows computers to boot up using software that is downloaded from a network instead of a local disk. The PXE boot process is widely used for mass deployment of operating systems, disaster recovery, or perform maintenance tasks remotely in enterprise environments, thereby negating the need to physically access each system.

2. What does PXE mean?

As inferred from the PXE acronym expansion (Preboot Execution Environment), it is an interface that allows computers to be booted over a network. PXE network boot can be used to boot operating systems into multiple computers over a network.

3. How to ensure that clients from other subnets can be booted over the network using Preboot Execution Environment (PXE)?

If the OS Deployer server, the DHCP server, and the target computer are on the same network, we can ensure that even clients from other subnets can be booted using PXE and get the created image.

4. How to PXE boot computers over LAN?

In order to harness the PXE boot capability, a network must have a DHCP server. The scope option 66 of the DHCP server must be configured by providing the IP address of the OS Deployer server. The scope option 67 must be configured with the legacy boot file or UEFI boot file based on our requirement.

5. What is a PXE server?

In OS Deployer, the PXE server runs as a Windows service along with the Central Server. After configuring the DHCP server details, this server can be used to deploy OS images over the network.

6. What is a PXE boot in Windows?

A PXE boot process prepares Windows computers for operating system (OS) deployment over the network. The PXE network boot is mostly done for OS deployment to multiple computers simultaneously.

7. How do I run a PXE boot?

In your DHCP server, configure scope option 66 with the IP address of the OS Deployer server and scope option 67 with the legacy boot file or UEFI boot file. Then you can perform a PXE boot for multiple deployments.

8. How to enable PXE on a server?

To enable the Preboot Execution Environment (PXE reboot) on an Intel NUC:

1. Enter BIOS setup by pressing F2.
2. Navigate to the Boot Menu
3. Select Boot Priority (or Boot Configuration) and uncheck Boot Network Devices Last
4. Navigate to Network Boot and enable UEFI PXE & iSCSI
5. Select either Ethernet1 Boot or Ethernet2 Boot
6. Pressing the F12 key during POST automatically forces booting from the LAN.

For more details, visit Intel's official page.

Need more help?

If you still have concerns in configuring Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) settings, avail a free personalized technical demo at your convenience.