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PXE Boot from network (DHCP, TFTP, Network share, FTP, HTTP) - Windows server

PXE Boot from network (DHCP, TFTP, NFS, Samba, FTP, HTTP) - Linux server

The network boot will be explained with working example setups. When you understood the concept, then you can use your own server setups and directory structures. Everything is flexible and can be configured to be anywhere on your server.

The minimum requirements to boot from a network are a DHCP server and a TFTP server.

The access to the Plop Linux files can be via NFS share, Samba share, TFTP, FTP or HTTP.

Download a working sample with the full directory structure: netboot-sample.tar.gz, for ISO netboot-sample-iso.tar.gz

The download links in this description are for the 64-bit version. To create a 32-bit version use the corresponding files from the download area.

Basic conditions for this example setup:

Network type: 10.0.0.x Netmask 255.255.255.0
Server IP: 10.0.0.1
Client IP: will be 10.0.0.250 from DHCP with MAC address
TFTP root directory: /tftpboot

It works with other IP addresses too!

Here are config files for a Linux test system in an archive: pxeconfs.tar.gz

1. Setup

1.1. Extract the Plop Linux files

1.2. Setup the DHCP server

1.3. Setup the TFTP server

2. NFS

2.1. Boot with NFS

2.2. Boot ISO over NFS

3. Samba network share

3.1. Boot with Samba network share

3.2. Boot ISO over Samba network share

4. TFTP

4.1. Boot only with TFTP

4.2. Boot ISO over TFTP

5. FTP

5.1. Boot with FTP

5.2. Boot ISO over FTP

6. HTTP

6.1. Boot with HTTP

6.2. Boot ISO over HTTP

7. Boot problems

1. Setup

1.1. Extract the Plop Linux files

Extract the file ploplinux-pxeboot.tar.gz to your root directory.

tar xfz ploplinux-pxeboot.tar.gz -C /

Now you have the basic directory structure and files in '/tftpboot'.

Extract the file ploplinux-24.2-x86_64.tar.gz to '/tmp'.

tar xfz ploplinux-24.2.tgz -C /tmp

Move the files to '/tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/'.

mv /tmp/ploplinux-24.2/* /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/

Now you should have the following directories and files

/tftpboot/
         /ploplinux-netboot/
                	   /boot.msg
                	   /memtest
                	   /menu.c32
                	   /spash.png
                	   /vesamenu.c32
                	   /pxelinux.0
                	   /ploplinux/
                        	     /bin/
                    		     /bin.sqfs
                        	     /etc.tgz
                        	     /lib.sqfs
				     /opt/
                        	     /ploplinux.version
                	    /pxelinux.cfg/
                            		 /default
			    /syslinux/
		        	     /kernel/
		                	    /bzImage
			        	    /initramfs.gz
		        	     /plop/
		                	  /plpbt.bin
			        	  /plpinstc.com

1.2. Setup the DHCP server

You need the DHCP server software. If your distribution has none then you can use dhcp-4.4.3.tar.gz (or search for the latest on the net) and compile it.

This is the example DHCP server configuration.
The very important line is 'filename "/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.0";'.

File name: /etc/dhcp/dhcpd.conf

subnet 10.0.0.0 netmask 255.255.255.0 {

        option routers 10.0.0.1;

}

allow booting;
allow bootp;

# Standard configuration directives...

option domain-name "plop";
option subnet-mask 255.255.255.0;
option broadcast-address 10.0.0.255;
option domain-name-servers 10.0.0.1;
option routers 10.0.0.1;

# Group the PXE bootable hosts together
group {
	# PXE-specific configuration directives...
	next-server 10.0.0.1;
	filename "/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.0";

	# You need an entry like this for every host
	# unless you're using dynamic addresses
        host testpc {
	        hardware ethernet 00:0C:6E:A6:1A:E6;
		fixed-address 10.0.0.250;
	}
}

To start the DHCP server simply run 'dhcpd'.

Note: For testing you can run 'dhcpd -f' to run dhcpd in the foreground and get some debug output.

Note: Change the 'next-server' IP to set another TFTP server IP.

1.3. Setup the TFTP server

Download the latest TFTP server from ftp://www.kernel.org/pub/software/network/tftp/ and install it with './configure --prefix=/usr && make && make install'.

To start the TFTP server we use Xinetd.

Here is the base Xinetd config file

File name: /etc/xinetd.conf

#
# Simple configuration file for xinetd
#
# Some defaults, and include /etc/xinetd.d/

defaults
{
	log_type	= SYSLOG daemon info
	log_on_success	= PID HOST DURATION
	log_on_failure	= HOST
	instances	= 100
	per_source	= 20
}

includedir /etc/xinetd.d

And the configuration for the tftp server.
The important line is 'server_args = -s /tftpboot' for the tftp root directory.

File name: /etc/xinetd.d/tftp


# default: off
# description: The tftp server serves files using the trivial 

# file transfer \
# protocol. The tftp protocol is often used to boot diskless \
# workstations, download configuration files to 

# network-aware printers, \
# and to start the installation process for some operating systems.
service tftp
{

socket_type = dgram
protocol = udp
wait = yes
user = root
#only_from = 10.0.0.1
server = /usr/sbin/in.tftpd
server_args = -s /tftpboot
disable = no 
per_source = 11
cps = 100 2

}

To start Xinetd simply run 'xinetd'.

Note: For testing you can run 'xinetd -d' to run Xinetd in the foreground and get some debug output.

2. NFS

2.1. Boot with NFS

Requirements are the DHCP and TFTP Server (Setup).

Basic configs for your NFS server, without security aspects:

File name: /etc/exports

/tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot -no_subtree_check  10.0.0.250

File name: /etc/hosts.allow

portmap: 10.0.0.0/255.255.255.0
lockd: 10.0.0.0/255.255.255.0
rquotad: 10.0.0.0/255.255.255.0
mountd: 10.0.0.0/255.255.255.0
statd: 10.0.0.0/255.255.255.0

File name: /etc/hosts.deny

portmap:ALL
lockd:ALL
mountd:ALL
rquotad:ALL
statd:ALL

Parameter: nfsmount=NFSSHARE|ADDITIONALPARAMS

Example: nfsmount=10.0.0.1:/tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot
Example: nfsmount=10.0.0.1:/tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot|rsize=2048,wsize=2048,nolock,vers=2,hard,intr

File name: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/nfs.conf

# Boot from NFS 

label linux-nfs
    menu label Plop Linux - NFS
    kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
    append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 nfsmount=10.0.0.1:/tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot nomodeset


label linuxfb-nfs
    menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - NFS
    kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
    append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 nfsmount=10.0.0.1:/tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot

nfs.conf is loaded by /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/default

If the DHCP, Xinetd and NFS server are running correct you should be able to boot Plop Linux via network.

2.2. Boot ISO over NFS

You need the ISO ploplinux-24.2-x86_64.iso, the directory structure and files of ploplinux-pxeboot.tar.gz and the 'syslinux' directory of ploplinux-24.2-x86_64.tar.gz. The DHCP and TFTP Server must work.

Basic configs for your NFS server, without security aspects:

File name: /etc/exports

/tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot -no_subtree_check  10.0.0.250

File name: /etc/hosts.allow

portmap: 10.0.0.0/255.255.255.0
lockd: 10.0.0.0/255.255.255.0
rquotad: 10.0.0.0/255.255.255.0
mountd: 10.0.0.0/255.255.255.0
statd: 10.0.0.0/255.255.255.0

File name: /etc/hosts.deny

portmap:ALL
lockd:ALL
mountd:ALL
rquotad:ALL
statd:ALL

Copy ploplinux-24.2-x86_64.iso to '/tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/'.

Create a symlink 'ln -s ploplinux-24.2-x86_64.iso ploplinux.iso'.

Parameter: nfsmount=NFSSHARE|ADDITIONALPARAMS iso_filename=ISOFILE

On the server: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/ploplinux.iso
Example: nfsmount=10.0.0.1:/tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
Example: nfsmount=10.0.0.1:/tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot|rsize=2048,wsize=2048,nolock,vers=2,hard,intr iso_filename=ploplinux.iso

File name: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/nfs-iso.conf

# Boot from NFS - ISO

label linux-nfs-iso
    menu label Plop Linux - NFS ISO
    kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
    append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 nfsmount=10.0.0.1:/tftpboot/ploplinux iso_filename=ploplinux.iso nomodeset


label linuxfb-nfs-iso
    menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - NFS ISO
    kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
    append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 nfsmount=10.0.0.1:/tftpboot/ploplinux iso_filename=ploplinux.iso

nfs-iso.conf is loaded by /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/default
Remove the '#' in the line with '#include pxelinux.cfg/nfs-iso.conf' to enable the loading of nfs-iso.conf.

3. Samba network share

3.1. Boot with Samba network share

Requirements are the DHCP and TFTP Server (Setup).

Basic configs for your Samba server, without security aspects:

Create the share 'ploplinux-netboot'.
File name: /etc/samba/smb.conf

;=== CUT =====

[ploplinux-netboot]
  path = /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot
  writable = no
  read only = no


;=== CUT =====

Parameter: smbmount=//SERVER/SHARE:SMBUSER:SMBPASSWORD

SMBUSER: user to access the share. If the share permits access to all users then use "" for SMBUSER
SMBPASSWORD: password of the user to access the share. For an empty password use ""

Example: smbmount=//10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot:myuser:mypass
Example: smbmount=//10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot:myuser2:""

File name: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/smb.conf

# Boot from Samba/Windows share

label linux-smb
menu label Plop Linux - Samba
    kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
    append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 smbmount=//10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot:SMBUSER:SMBPASSWORD nomodeset


label linuxfb-smb
menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - Samba
    kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
    append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 smbmount=//10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot:SMBUSER:SMBPASSWORD

smb.conf is loaded by /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/default
Remove the '#' in the line with '#include pxelinux.cfg/smb.conf' to enable the loading of smb.conf.

When the DHCP, Xinetd and Samba server are running correct you should be able to boot Plop Linux via network.

3.2. Boot ISO over Samba

Basic configs for your Samba server, without security aspects:

Create the share 'ploplinux-netboot'.
File name: /etc/samba/smb.conf

;=== CUT =====

[ploplinux-netboot]
  path = /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot
  writable = no
  read only = no


;=== CUT =====

Copy ploplinux-24.2-x86_64.iso to '/tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/'.

Create there a symlink 'ln -s ploplinux-24.2-x86_64.iso ploplinux.iso'.

Parameter: smbmount=//SERVER/SHARE:SMBUSER:SMBPASSWORD iso_filename=ISOFILE

SMBUSER: user to access the share. If the share permits access to all users then use "" for SMBUSER
SMBPASSWORD: password of the user to access the share. For an empty password use ""
ISOFILE: ploplinux.iso (relative to the share)
On the server: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/ploplinux.iso

Example: smbmount=//10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot:myuser:mypass iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
Example: smbmount=//10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot:myuser2:"" iso_filename=ploplinux.iso

File name: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/smb-iso.conf

# Boot from Samba/Windows share - ISO

label linux-smb-iso
menu label Plop Linux - Samba ISO
    kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
    append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 smbmount=//10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot:SMBUSER:SMBPASSWORD iso_filename=ploplinux.iso nomodeset


label linuxfb-smb-iso
menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - Samba ISO
    kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
    append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 smbmount=//10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot:SMBUSER:SMBPASSWORD iso_filename=ploplinux.iso

smb-iso.conf is loaded by /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/default
Remove the '#' in the line with '#include pxelinux.cfg/smb-iso.conf' to enable the loading of smb-iso.conf.

4. TFTP

4.1. Boot only with TFTP

Requirements are the DHCP and TFTP Server (Setup).

Create the file '/tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/tftpfilelist' for TFTP boot that lists all Plop Linux files.

cd /tftpboot
find ploplinux-netboot > ploplinux-netboot/tftpfilelist

Example file: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/tftpfilelist

Parameter: tftpboot=SERVER|FILELIST dir=PLOPLINUXDIRECTORY

Example: tftpboot=10.0.0.1|ploplinux-netboot/tftpfilelist dir=/ploplinux-netboot/ploplinux

File name: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/tftp.conf

# boot from TFTP

label linux-tftp
menu label Plop Linux - TFTP
    kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
    append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 tftpboot=10.0.0.1|ploplinux-netboot/tftpfilelist dir=/ploplinux-netboot/ploplinux nomodeset


label linuxfb-tftp
menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - TFTP
    kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
    append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 tftpboot=10.0.0.1|ploplinux-netboot/tftpfilelist dir=/ploplinux-netboot/ploplinux

tftp.conf is loaded by /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/default
Remove the '#' in the line with '#include pxelinux.cfg/tftp.conf' to enable the loading of tftp.conf.

4.2. Boot ISO over TFTP

Create the file '/tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/tftpfilelist-iso' for TFTP boot with the Plop Linux ISO file name.

cd /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot
echo ploplinux-netboot/ploplinux.iso > tftpfilelist-iso

Copy ploplinux-24.2-x86_64.iso to '/tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/'.

Create a symlink 'ln -s ploplinux-24.2-x86_64.iso ploplinux.iso'.

Parameter: tftpboot=SERVER|FILELIST iso_filename=ISOFILE

Example: tftpboot=10.0.0.1|ploplinux-netboot/tftpfilelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux-netboot/ploplinux.iso

File name: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/tftp-iso.conf

# boot from TFTP - ISO

label linux-tftp-iso
menu label Plop Linux - TFTP ISO
    kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
    append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 tftpboot=10.0.0.1|ploplinux-netboot/tftpfilelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux-netboot/ploplinux.iso nomodeset


label linuxfb-tftp-iso
menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - TFTP ISO
    kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
    append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 tftpboot=10.0.0.1|ploplinux-netboot/tftpfilelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux-netboot/ploplinux.iso

tftp-iso.conf is loaded by /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/default
Remove the '#' in the line with '#include pxelinux.cfg/tftp-iso.conf' to enable the loading of tftp-iso.conf.

5. FTP

5.1. Boot with FTP

Requirements are the DHCP and TFTP Server (Setup) and a FTP Server.

The FTP root directory is in this example '/tftpboot/'.

Create the file '/tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/filelist' for FTP boot that lists all Plop Linux files.

cd /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot
find > ftpfilelist

Example file: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/ftpfilelist

Parameter: url=ftp://FTPUSER:FTPPASSWORD@FTPSERVER/FTPDIRECTORY|FILELIST

Example: url=ftp://myuser:mypass@10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot|/ftpfilelist

File name: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/ftp.conf

# boot from FTP

label linux-ftp
menu label Plop Linux - FTP
    kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
    append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 url=ftp://myuser:mypass@10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot|/ftpfilelist nomodeset


label linuxfb-ftp
menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - FTP
    kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
    append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 url=ftp://myuser:mypass@10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot|/ftpfilelist

ftp.conf is loaded by /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/default
Remove the '#' in the line with '#include pxelinux.cfg/ftp.conf' to enable the loading of ftp.conf.

5.2. Boot ISO over FTP

The FTP root directory is in this example '/tftpboot/'.

Create the file '/tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/ftpfilelist-iso' for FTP boot with the Plop Linux ISO file name.

cd /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot
echo ploplinux.iso > ftpfilelist-iso

Copy ploplinux-24.2-x86_64.iso to '/tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/'.

Create a symlink 'ln -s ploplinux-24.2-x86_64.iso ploplinux.iso'.

Parameter: url=ftp://FTPUSER:FTPPASSWORD@FTPSERVER/FTPDIRECTORY|FILELIST iso_filename=ISOFILE

Example: url=ftp://myuser:mypass@10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot|/ftpfilelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso

File name: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/ftp-iso.conf

# boot from FTP - ISO

label linux-ftp-iso
menu label Plop Linux - FTP ISO
    kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
    append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 url=ftp://myuser:mypass@10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot|/ftpfilelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso nomodeset


label linuxfb-ftp-iso
menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - FTP ISO
    kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
    append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 url=ftp://myuser:mypass@10.0.0.1/ploplinux-netboot|/ftpfilelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso

ftp-iso.conf is loaded by /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/default
Remove the '#' in the line with '#include pxelinux.cfg/ftp-iso.conf' to enable the loading of ftp-iso.conf.

6. HTTP

6.1. Boot with HTTP

Requirements are the DHCP and TFTP Server (Setup) and a WEB Server.

The Virtual Host root directory is in this example '/tftpboot/'.

Create the file '/tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/filelist' for HTTP boot that lists all Plop Linux files.

cd /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot
find > webfilelist

Example file: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/webfilelist

Parameter: url=http://USER:PASS@WEBSERVER/WEBDIRECTORY|FILELIST

Example: url=http://www.ploplinux.com/ploplinux-netboot|/webfilelist
Example: url=http://myuser:mypass@www.ploplinux.com/ploplinux-netboot|/webfilelist

File name: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/http.conf

# boot from HTTP

label linux-http
menu label Plop Linux - HTTP
    kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
    append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 url=http://www.ploplinux.com/ploplinux-netboot|/webfilelist nomodeset


label linuxfb-http
menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - HTTP
    kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
    append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 url=http://www.ploplinux.com/ploplinux-netboot|/webfilelist

http.conf is loaded by /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/default
Remove the '#' in the line with '#include pxelinux.cfg/http.conf' to enable the loading of http.conf.

6.2. Boot ISO over HTTP

The Virtual Host root directory is in this example '/tftpboot/'.

Create the file '/tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/webfilelist-iso' for HTTP boot with the Plop Linux ISO file name.

cd /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot
echo ploplinux.iso > webfilelist-iso

Copy ploplinux-24.2-x86_64.iso to '/tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/'.

Create a symlink 'ln -s ploplinux-24.2-x86_64.iso ploplinux.iso'.

Parameter: url=http://USER:PASS@WEBSERVER/WEBDIRECTORY|FILELIST iso_filename=ISOFILE

Example: url=http://www.ploplinux.com/ploplinux-netboot|/webfilelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso
Example: url=http://myuser:mypass@www.ploplinux.com/ploplinux-netboot|/webfilelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso

File name: /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/http-iso.conf

# boot from HTTP - ISO

label linux-http-iso
menu label Plop Linux - HTTP ISO
    kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
    append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=1 url=http://www.ploplinux.com/ploplinux-netboot|/webfilelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso nomodeset


label linuxfb-http-iso
menu label Plop Linux framebuffer mode - HTTP ISO
    kernel syslinux/kernel/bzImage
    append initrd=syslinux/kernel/initramfs.gz vga=0x317 url=http://www.ploplinux.com/ploplinux-netboot|/webfilelist-iso iso_filename=ploplinux.iso

http-iso.conf is loaded by /tftpboot/ploplinux-netboot/pxelinux.cfg/default
Remove the '#' in the line with '#include pxelinux.cfg/http-iso.conf' to enable the loading of http-iso.conf.

7. Boot problems

Maybe there is somewhere a wrong path. When you are in the boot menu, then press at the entry that you want to boot the tabulator key. Then add at the end of the line 'debug'. You will see more info's during booting.

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PXE Boot from network (DHCP, TFTP, Network share, FTP, HTTP) - Windows server