Pre-Boot Execution Environment

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PXE is one of the components of Intel's WfM specification. It allows a workstation to boot from a server on a network prior to booting the operating system on the local hard drive. A PXE-enabled workstation connects its NIC to the LAN via a jumper, which keeps the workstation connected to the network even when the power is off. Because a network administrator does not have to physically visit the specific workstation and manually boot it, operating systems and other software, such as diagnostic programs, can be loaded onto the device from a server over the network.

PXE is an acronym for Pre-Boot Execution Environment. New computers utilizing PXE are compliant with the PC99 specification. This specification for computers was developed by both Intel and Microsoft, released in 1998. The PC99 specification is much more than just network boot standards, it covers everything right down to the dopey color code used on keyboard and mouse connectors on the back of the personal computer.

PXE is an extension on DHCP. It requires both a DHCP and TFTP server on the network to which the PC is connected. A PC with a PXE enabled BIOS may boot to an operating system stored on the network server. It is more commonly used to install an operating system via the network from the remote server, but may also be used to run the remote operating system.

  • Boot a diskless (no floppy, no cdrom, no harddrive) PC from an operating system via the network
  • Boot an operating system installation via the network to install the OS on the PC
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