Navigating Your PXE Environment

Owned by John Hall
Oct 29, 2020
1 min read

 

What does PXE mean?

Preboot eXecution Environment - In computing, the PXE is a standardized client-server environment that boots a software assembly, retrieved from a network, on PXE-enabled clients.

 

 

PXE Boot Process

  • The device sends out a DHCP broadcast and states that it needs to PXE boot. Performed by hitting F12 on the device as it starts up)

  • The DHCP server picks up this broadcast and replies with a suggested IP address to use

  • The device replies to the server and uses the provided address

  • Then the device contacts the PXE boot server and requests the boot file that it was told to look for from the DHCP server

  • The file is then loaded and launched on the client

 

How do you PXE boot a computer?

  1. Press F2 during boot to enter BIOS Setup.

  2. Go to the Boot menu.

  3. Enable Boot to Network.

  4. Press F10 to save and exit the BIOS Setup.

 

There are two most common reasons why you cannot PXE a computer

  1. The computer you are working on may not be capable

  2. PXE is not enabled on your computer

    1. Tap F2 when the logo is displayed to enter System Setup (aka BIOS)

    2. In the left navigation pane, select the System Configuration tab.

    3. In the left navigation pane, select Integrated NIC

    4. Select the Enabled w/PXE option.

 

What port does PXE use?

·        By default, the PXE server listens on port 4011