To image a workstation using Preboot Services, you need to find out if the workstation is PXE capable, and then make sure that PXE is enabled.
PXE code is typically delivered with newer workstations (PC 99 compliant or later) on the NIC.
When PXE is enabled, it can lengthen the time of the boot process slightly, so most NICs have PXE turned off by default. To enable PXE on a PXE-capable workstation:
Access the computer system BIOS and look at the options.
The PXE activation method for a workstation varies from one manufacturer to another, but generally one of the following methods is used:
Some BIOSs have a separate entry in the BIOS configuration to enable or disable the PXE functionality. In this case, set either the setting or the setting to .
Some BIOSs extend the entry that allows you to configure boot order. For example, you can specify that the system should try to boot from a diskette before trying to boot from the hard drive. In this case, set the system to try before trying to boot from a diskette or from the hard disk.
If PXE is not listed in the options and if the NIC is embedded in the motherboard, look at the Integrated Devices section of the BIOS, which might have an option to enable PXE. PXE might be called by another name, such as MBA (Managed Boot Agent) or Pre-Boot Service.
After enabling PXE in the Integrated Devices section, look at the options and move PXE so that it is first in the Boot Sequence.
Save any changes you have made and exit the system BIOS.
Reboot the workstation.
If the workstation does not have the network adapter and PXE integrated into the motherboard, it uses the installed NIC management software to prompt you to start PXE configuration during the boot process.
For example, many network adapters that are PXE aware prompt you to press Ctrl+S during the boot process to allow you to configure the PXE functionality. Other network adapters might prompt you to press Ctrl+Alt+B or another key combination to configure PXE.
If the computer system does not have an integrated NIC, you might need to use NIC management software to configure your NIC to support PXE. Refer to your NIC documentation for support of PXE.
After you have activated PXE, it becomes available in the Boot section of the BIOS. PXE is correctly enabled on a workstation when the workstation attempts to establish a PXE session during the boot process. You can see this happening when the workstation pauses during the boot process and displays the following on the screen:
CLIENT MAC ADDR: 00 E0 29 47 59 64
DHCP...
The actual message displayed varies from one manufacturer to another, but you can identify it by the obvious pause in the boot process as the workstation searches for DHCP.
Some older workstations might not support PXE and require you to install PXE on them. There are several ways to do this:
Update your NIC or NIC driver. Most network adapter manufacturers supply a PXE Boot ROM chip that you can fit into your network adapter to enable PXE on the workstation. Contact the NIC manufacturer or a supplier to see if they sell a PXE Boot ROM. It is also possible that your current NIC might need an upgraded driver to become PXE-enabled.
Update your BIOS version. Most manufacturers that supply motherboards with the network adapter embedded in the motherboard offer a BIOS upgrade that enables PXE on the workstation. Check the manufacturer’s Web site or contact a supplier to check for a BIOS upgrade.
Use the Desktop Management Preboot Services PXE-on-Disk utility if no PXE is available for the workstation. With this utility, you can create a boot diskette that enables the workstation to participate in the PXE environment.
The PXE-on-Disk utility is installed to the ZENworks Imaging server as part of Preboot Services (PXE Support) in Desktop Management and is available from the button in the Imaging Boot Disk Creator (in ConsoleOne, click > > > ).
For more information about using PXE-on-Disk, see Section 56.7, Using the Desktop Management Preboot Services PXE-on-Disk Utility.