How to Install Linux From a PXE Server

Before You Begin

• You must have already completed the network infrastructure setup to support PXE. See Configuring a Linux Server to Support PXE Installation.

• You must have already created a supported Linux image on your PXE server. Refer to the appropriate section:

  • How to Create a PXE Installation Image for Oracle Linux

  • How to Create a PXE Installation Image for RHEL

  • How to Create a PXE Installation Image for SLES

  • How to Create a PXE Installation Image for Oracle VM

• Connect your target server (to be called the “PXE client”) to the same network as your PXE server.

1. Power on the PXE client.

   The PXE client is the target where you are installing Linux from a PXE image on a PXE server.

2. When the PXE client prompts you for a network boot, press the F12 key.

   The PXE client attempts to obtain an IP address from the DHCP server (in this example, the DHCP server is also configured as the PXE server) which then displays a menu of available PXE images.

3. Select an image from the list.

   The corresponding Linux installation image downloads onto the over the network PXE client.

   The OS installation process will start and you will proceed through the installation just as you would if the OS distribution media were booted from a local CD/DVD drive.

4. Install and configure the Linux operating system for your PXE client.

   Refer to the manual that is shipped with your Linux media kit.

5. Update the operating system.
   • For Oracle Linux, see Updating Oracle Linux.
   • For Red Hat Enterprise Linux, see Updating RHEL
   • For SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, perform an Online Software Update to update the operating system files.