PXE FAQ
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Does Intel XScale support PXE?
The embedded stuff? Thing is, PXE isn't processor dependent. It's NIC ROM dependent, so, maybe.
Help! My computer just boots normally, without even trying PXE. What's up?
Ensure that your computer can boot over PXE. This can be done through a NIC that supports PXE booting. If you don't have this, google around for floppies that will boot up and start a PXE client. There're many ways around this. Google is your friend. With an onboard network adapter, it may be necessary not only to change the boot seqence to have network before harddisk, but also to activate the integrated bootrom in the bios setup.
My computer never obtains an IP address during the PXE process.
Check and double check your cables, and then ensure that your DHCP server is running and can be contacted. Also make sure that your DHCP server provides a boot image.
My PXE client can't seem to connect to the TFTP server.
Fix the TFTP server. Also, check the 'next-server' DHCP parameter, make sure that you entered a valid IP. Also, make sure that the server's firewall is allowing access to the tftp server. It uses UDP port 69, not TCP 21.
Question: pxelinux starts up, but when I boot anything, it says it cannot find the file. Help?
Make sure that the kernel you're requesting is where you placed it within the TFTP root, and likewise can be downloaded over TFTP. You can try accessing the tftp server from another computer using the tftp client to get better error descriptions. *Personal note*: When I got this error message, I had to delete the file and re-copy as root. Then it worked; don't ask me why.
The client obtains an IP address, but doesn't do anything. OR, client obtains address, and then proceeds with boot order, skipping PXE completely.
Your DHCP server isn't correctly configured to send the "filename" parameter. What's happening here is the client obtains an address, but doesn't receive the name of a file to download. This equates to a useless PXE session, as it doesn't have anything to download and execute.
Is there any way to add a graphic to the pxelinux boot process?
In short, yes. There's a lot more information here and here on how to create the .lss file
You may also want to check out GRUB, as you can build it to include a PXE version, which likewise supports images on boot time.
Help! Still!
Google is your friend, along with ethereal. Fire that up, poke around, and make sure that everything is working correctly (over the wire, at least). Should that fail, join us in IRC.
Categories: PXE | FAQ
