Simple PXE Server for windows manchines.

[Raffye.Memon]

Hello,

I have a custom bootable ISO image which i burn to CD's and DVD's to boot the machines, but recently managers decided to remove the optical drives from all computers. looks like i should get an PXE server up and running so that i can boot network machine from it using my own ISO image.

what are my options.. !

Thanks

[jamesclarke555]

Why not boot from USB or if you really want to use PXE, how about the HP MicroServer or build your own.

[Raffye.Memon]

are'nt there any software soloutions... !!

like acronis PXE server.. but i dont need those hi functionalities etc.. and cant afford licence !!

[Dan~]

Windows Deployment Services (WDS)

It'll be on add/remove programs in 2003, come with PXE as part of the package.

[Lexcyn]

You can use imagex and WindowsPE to create a tool that will allow you to boot from USB and select your custom WIM files. This is what we use at the office and it works great and is quick.

[+BudMan MVC]

Here you go this is FREE and can boot all kinds different things and great for deployment of OSes

http://www.ultimatedeployment.org/

You should be able to boot your iso using pxe with it.

[SirEvan]

are'nt there any software soloutions... !!

like acronis PXE server.. but i dont need those hi functionalities etc.. and cant afford licence !!

What you asked was a question, not an exclamation. You should've used "??" instead of "!!"

anyway, there's a free tool called netboot i believe, i used it along with a tftp server to remotely install ubuntu on vm's.

[forgreatsource]

grub4dos will boot iso files over pxe / tftp but the iso has to fix in ram,

Also not all iso files will work, anything like a windows installer will loose the iso when it boots.

There are ways around it but we need to know whats on these iso images.

[CPressland]

FOG is another one worth looking at, OpenSource Freeware.

[patpat]

Free for non-comercial use.

http://www.vercot.com/~serva/an/WindowsPXE1.html

 

Able to install Windows and non-windows OSs from a single

automatically generated menu.

[sc302 Veteran]

I think the OP found what he was looking for 2.5 years ago. 

 

Locking this up.