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Using PXE (Preboot Execution Environment) to Install Guest Operating Systems over a Network

Details

Do VMware virtual machines support PXE?

Solution

ESX Server 2.1, GSX Server 3.0 and Workstation 4.5 introduced built-in PXE features. PXE (Preboot Execution Environment) features allow a computer without an operating system installed to power on and download an operating system image from a PXE server on the network. Virtual machines created with versions earlier than those listed above do not have built-in support for PXE. As with physical computers that do not include PXE support in hardware, you can use a third-party PXE boot floppy to implement PXE features in a virtual machine. A PXE boot floppy can be mounted in a virtual machine as a floppy image file or as a physical floppy disk in the floppy drive of the system where the virtual machine is running. The virtual machine BIOS should be configured to include the floppy drive in the list of devices in the boot sequence. The BIOS currently provided with virtual machines is incompatible with some third-party PXE boot floppies. However, VMware is aware of two PXE boot floppy vendors that have released PXE products designed for compatibility with virtual machines: Contact one of these vendors if you require PXE support in your virtual machines. VMware does not support or endorse third-party PXE products.

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  • KB Article: 1162
  • Updated: Aug 14, 2009
  • Products:
    VMware ESX
    VMware GSX Server
    VMware Workstation
  • Product Versions:
    VMware ESX 1.0.x
    VMware ESX 1.5.x
    VMware ESX 2.0.x
    VMware ESX 2.1.x
    VMware ESX 2.5.x
    VMware GSX Server 1.x (Linux)
    VMware GSX Server 1.x (Windows)
    VMware GSX Server 2.x (Linux)
    VMware GSX Server 2.x (Windows)
    VMware GSX Server 3.x (Linux)
    VMware GSX Server 3.x (Windows)
    VMware Workstation 3.x (Linux)
    VMware Workstation 3.x (Windows)
    VMware Workstation 4.x (Linux)
    VMware Workstation 4.x (Windows)