Solaris 9 9/04 Installation Guide

Booting With PXE (Task Map)

Perform the following tasks to boot and install your system over the network by using PXE.

Table I–1 x86: Task Map: Booting From the Network By Using PXE

Task 

Description 

Instructions 

Verify that your system supports PXE. 

Confirm that your machine can use PXE to boot without local boot media. 

Check your hardware manufacturer's documentation. 

Choose an installation method. 

The Solaris operating environment provides several methods for installation or upgrade. Choose the installation method that is most appropriate for your environment. 

Chapter 3, Choosing a Solaris Installation Method (Overview)

Gather information about your system. 

Use the checklist and complete the worksheet to collect all of the information that you need to install or upgrade. 

Chapter 6, Gathering Information Before Installation or Upgrade (Planning)

(Optional) Preconfigure system information. 

You can preconfigure system information to avoid being prompted for the information during the installation or upgrade. 

Chapter 7, Preconfiguring System Configuration Information (Tasks)

Create an install server. 

Set up a Solaris server to install the Solaris operating environment from the network.  

x86: Creating an x86 Install Server

Add systems to be installed over the network. 

Use add_install_client -d to add DHCP support to install a class of client (of a certain machine type, for example) or a particular client ID.

x86: Adding Systems to Install Over the Network By Using PXE

Set up a DHCP server. 

Plan for and configure your DHCP service. 

“Planning for DHCP Service (Task)” in System Administration Guide: IP Services.

Create DHCP options for installation parameters and macros that include the options. 

Use DHCP Manager or dhtadm to create the vendor options and macros that are output from the add_install_client -d command.

Creating DHCP Options and Macros for Solaris Installation Parameters

Boot the client. 

Instruct the client BIOS to boot from the network. 

x86: Booting the Client Over the Network By Using PXE