PXE help!

[edblor]

I've got a laptop that supports PXE booting.

My question is what kind of file, or files do I need/make so it can boot?

I know it has to be some kind of image file, but I am not running a server here, nor am I running Linux. I have multilple sources to create image files, so I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

Thanks,

Edblor

 

[cmetz]

You need three things to do a PXE boot:

1. a DHCP server that will send the right PXE options. I think Windows Server can do this but no clue as to what you can do on desktop Windows. Your basic SOHO router's DHCP server is not configurable enough to handle this task.

2. a TFTP server. I think anything reasonable will work.

3. An operating system image that can be PXE booted. This is the tough part. For BSD or Linux you have to build a special kernel but it's not rocket science. For Windows, I'm not sure that it's even possible at all these days - Microsoft has a certain world view of how you will use their products and trying to do other things is usually a recipe for a lot of hurt.

You'll need to do a lot of Google searching to sort out doing this for Windows. As far as I know it will be a huge mess of trouble. I'd be interested in hearing if you get it to work.

 

[edblor]

Thanks a ton for replying cmetz

I am/was aware that Linux can do PXE, and of course Win2k/2k3 both support PXE. I actually downloaded an awesome little app that does PXE/TFTP and I actually got the laptop to recognize and pick up an IP from my other laptop that hosted this neat little app.

The hard part...and I emphasize hard here, is finding/building/getting a bootable image.

In an MS Server environment, you do it with risetup.exe, but what I want to know is if there is another way to do it. I am not running an MS Server, hence my need!

From what I have Googled, there is nothing. I came across a slew of Network boot apps/solutions, but nothing that does this image creating I so need.

I think I will have to install MS Server and do it the "easy" way

If anyone does know of a way to generate a bootable OS image based on my above needs...please LMK?

Thanks,

Edblor

 

[Joony]

I can't seem to find the option for PXE booting in DHCP options in Win2k Server

 

[edblor]

Try typing risetup.exe in the command line. That should start the Wizard for DHCP/Remote Installation Services.

If not, then you need to add the RIS component in A/R Programs.

G/L Joony!

P.S. How ya doin'?

Edward