Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) Boot

The Sun Blade 8000 Series BIOS supports the Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) network boot. This feature can be used with Sun Blade 8000 Network Express Modules supporting the PXE Split ROM architecture as defined in the PXE 2.1 Specification.

The PXE Split ROM architecture contains two Option ROMs: The Universal Network Driver Interface (UNDI) Option ROM, which provides code for specific network devices, and Base Code (BC) Option ROM, which is standard binary code that works with any network device containing an UNDI Option ROM. The Base Code Option ROM can be embedded as a part of the BIOS image. The Base Code Option ROM for the Intel NIC Network Express Module is incorporated into the BIOS image

During POST, BIOS scans and initializes the UNDI and Base Code Option ROMs. The UNDI Option ROM registers the Initial Program Load (IPL) device and BIOS presents the PXE device in the BIOS Boot list.