You might need to boot a system from the network under the following situations:
When the system is first installed
If the system won't boot from the local disk
If the system is a diskless client
Two network configuration boot strategies are available:
Reverse Address Resolution Protocol (RARP) and ONC+™ RPC Bootparams Protocol
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
The default network boot strategy for an x86 based PXE network device is DHCP. You cannot change the default network strategy for a PXE device. However, it is possible to configure a non-PXE device to use DHCP.
Use this table if you need information on booting a system over the network.
|
Network Boot Task |
For More Information |
|---|---|
|
Boot a SPARC based system or a SPARC based diskless client. |
Chapter 10, Booting a System (Tasks) |
|
Solaris Express 6/05: Perform a GRUB based network boot on an x86 based system. |
Chapter 11, GRUB Based Booting (Tasks) |
|
Solaris 10: Boot an x86 based system or an x86 based diskless client. |
Chapter 12, Booting a System (Tasks) |
|
Boot a DHCP client during installation. |
Solaris Express Installation Guide: Network-Based Installations |
|
Configure a DHCP client by using DHCP Manager. |
System Administration Guide: IP Services |
Starting with the Solaris Express 6/05 release, the Device Configuration Assistant has been replaced by the GRUB menu on x86 based systems.
Solaris Express 6/05: When you perform a Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) network boot on an x86 based system, or you boot an x86 based system from the Solaris Software 1 CD or DVD, the system boots automatically. The GRUB menu is displayed after you boot the system. The GRUB menu interface provides you with a list of boot entries to choose from. Use the arrow keys to select the desired boot method. If no selection is made, the system boots the default entry.
Solaris 10: When you perform a Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) network boot on an x86 based system, or you boot an x86 based system from the Solaris Software 1 CD or DVD, the system boots automatically. The Device Configuration Assistant menu is no longer displayed by default. If you need to access the Solaris Device Configuration Assistant, press the Escape key to interrupt the autoboot process. Doing so, enables you to access the Device Configuration Assistant menu. For more information, see How to Boot a System From the Network.
For a fully automated JumpStart installation, boot scripts that run the Device Configuration Assistant during the boot process from CD, DVD, or a PXE network boot are no longer necessary.
You can boot x86 based systems directly from a network without the Solaris boot diskette on x86 based systems that support the PXE network booting protocol. The PXE network boot is available only for devices that implement the Intel PXE specification. The default network strategy for devices that use PXE is DHCP.
If you use a DHCP server for PXE network boots, additional DHCP configuration is required. For more information about configuring DHCP for booting from the Network with GRUB, see Performing a GRUB Based Boot From the Network. For general information on DHCP configuration, see Part III, DHCP, in System Administration Guide: IP Services . If you want to set up your DHCP server to support installation, see Solaris Express Installation Guide: Network-Based Installations .
You can enable the PXE network boot on the client system by using the BIOS setup program in the system BIOS, the network adapter BIOS, or both. On some systems, you must also adjust the boot device priority list so that a network boot is attempted before a boot from other devices. See the manufacturer's documentation for each setup program, or watch for setup program entry instructions during boot.
Some PXE-capable network adapters have a feature that enables a PXE boot if you type a particular keystroke in response to a brief boot-time prompt. This feature is ideal when you use PXE for an install boot on a system that normally boots from the disk drive because you do not have to modify the PXE settings. If your adapter does not have this feature, disable PXE in the BIOS setup when the system reboots after installation. Then, the system will boot from the disk drive.
Some versions of PXE firmware cannot boot the Solaris system. If your system has a supported PXE firmware version, it can read the PXE network bootstrap program from a boot server. However, the bootstrap will not transmit packets. If this problem occurs, upgrade the PXE firmware on the adapter. Obtain firmware upgrade information from the adapter manufacturer's web site. For more information, see the elxl ( 7D ) and iprb ( 7D ) man page.
Solaris Express 6/05: For more information on booting an x86 based system from the network with GRUB, see How to Perform a GRUB Based Boot From the Network.
For information on booting x86 based systems with or without the boot diskette, see How to Boot a System From the Network.