Understand the PXE network boot process
PXE (Preboot Execution Environment) allows a client computer to boot from a remote server over a network. The process follows these steps:
- The PXE client sends a DHCP request for an IP address.
- The DHCP server assigns an IP and provides the TFTP server's IP address and the bootloader filename (e.g.,
pxelinux.0). - The client requests the
pxelinux.0bootloader from the TFTP server. - The TFTP server transfers the bootloader to the client.
- The client boots to the installation interface and requests OS installation files from a file sharing server (FTP, HTTP, or NFS).
- The file sharing server (e.g., vsftpd) transfers the installation files.
- The user completes the OS installation via the guided interface.