When you network boot an AI client, the following actions occur:
The client gets the AI server address from the DHCP server.
SPARC clients can optionally get the AI server address from the network-boot-arguments variable in the OBP.
The client gets the boot program from the AI server and loads the boot program.
SPARC clients get the wanboot boot program from the AI server.
X86 clients get the GRUB menu (which includes the install service name) and the pxegrub boot program from the AI server.
The client downloads the boot archive from the AI server and loads the kernel.
The client uses HTTP to download the install program.
SPARC clients get the install service name with the install program.
The AI server selects a manifest based on the selection criteria. Installation changes are made on the client based on the manifest selected.
The AI server selects profiles based on the client selection criteria.
The AI install program installs the client packages from the IPS repository or the image from an archive.
The client is rebooted to use the image on the local disk.
If no system configuration profiles were used, you are prompted for system configuration information.
If appropriate, system configuration changes are made on the client based on the information given in the selected profiles
If appropriate, the first-boot script is run.