Installing OS over network with PXE Server

[SSD]

Good day.

 

I acquired two servers this week but I have the problem. These servers are older rack-servers without a DVD-drive or SATA-ports, so there is no way to attach a DVD-drive or HDD to install an OS. The solution I thought was to use a PXE server. After some research I found Ultimate Deployment Appliance, but when I tried it, I couldn't mount my Linux ISO and make it visible in the web-interface.

 

I have a Windows 2008 server, VirtualBox and a DD-WRT router available to make the PXE server idea a reality. So my question basically is: Does anyone know software to easily make a PXE Server and install an OS over the network? The Windows Deployment Service available in Windows Server could also be an option if it works with Linux.

 

Thanks in advance.

[legopc]

i dont think wds will work with linux but you could use something like tftpd32 

and if you get it working please notify me becus i realy wanna know how you did it 

[SSD]

Well, after a few more hours of trying I found out that I can't boot any OS I know (from crux, to centOS pxe edition). The furthers I've come is it getting stuck with this text on screen: Spec packet missing LBA information, trying to wing it... Loading spec packet failed, trying to wing it... Found something at drive = FF Looks reasonable, continuing... And then it stops and suggest trying again after which the server just reboots.

 

EDIT: In 20 hours I'll be trying to setup a virtual SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 machine and try what is described on this page. I will be reporting back here to (hopefully) tell you how easy it was.

[IdeaStormer]

USB DVD or CD drive? I use that all the time, when I don't have PXE boot.

[SSD]

Thanks for your feedback IdeaStormerJorge, but as stated in the openings post the servers are a bit old and can't connect to any optical-drives I own, nor can they boot of a USB-stick.

[madcow]

PXE boot requires a few different pieces and steps:

 

- DHCP server with configuration to point clients to a TFTP sever. Typical home router DHCP won't have this option. You will want to set up something like ISC DHCP somewhere on the network.

- TFTP or web server.

- pxelinux.0 image usually available with the syslinux package. More options available if you use a web server.

- Compatible installer boot image which may be provided by your distro.

- Small configuration to point clients to the boot image. This can be done in dhcp or pxelinux.

 

Found instructions for debian which covers most of it:

http://wiki.debian.org/PXEBootInstall

 

 

My desktop machine has an option to PXE boot off of iscsi so I have many of the same configurations.

[IdeaStormer]

Thanks for your feedback IdeaStormerJorge, but as stated in the openings post the servers are a bit old and can't connect to any optical-drives I own, nor can they boot of a USB-stick.

 

If it has a USB port you can use a USB DVD or CD drive, even if it does not support USB-Sticks.

 

Forgot, you can also add a more modern Ethernet Card that does support PXE.

[AmateurPCGuy]

if the server rack has a usb, just put the installer in a usb and run the installer

[SSD]

I got the PXE working. Just found out that the CPU didn't support 64 bit OS and that I needed a netboot version of the OS. I used Debian 32-bit netboot and extracted it to the root folder of the Tftpd32 program. I then pointed my home router (with DD-WRT, so basically a extremely a linux box with every possible network option, including DNSMasq) to my desktop with "dhcp-boot=pxelinux.0,,ipaddress". After this the server just booted of my Tftpd server and I could install Debian. I didn't use CD's because I have no optical drive in my pc (I hate the sound they make) and I don't own a usb-stick (funny how you can own 5 servers but not a usb-stick). Thanks for the advice everyone, it now works so I'm happy.