PXE Auto-Boot to Theopenem When Imaging Task Is Assigned

JackYwn

By default, PXE boots to the local disk. When an imaging task is assigned to a host, how can it automatically boot into the "theopenem" menu entry instead?

JackYwn

I noticed that the boot menu includes the line

After I create an imaging deployment task, it should automatically generate a corresponding.ipxe file based on the MAC address.

theopenem_admin

As long as the computer is registered with the correct mac address, when you start a task from the web it should automatically create the pxe files needed to auto start that computer's task on boot. This only work for the LIE though, not the WIE.

JackYwn

I tried again and it did automatically create the corresponding PXE file—you're right.

So far, all the features I’ve tested in Theopenem have worked really well!

If power management could support IPMI, and if the API allowed creating deployment tasks directly, this would be a complete bare-metal management solution.

theopenem_admin

The API does allow creating deployment tasks directly, unless I'm misunderstanding what you mean. Also does IPMI have a standard interface to wakeup a machine? WOL already works in most cases in my experience.

JackYwn

I haven’t found any official API documentation so far, so I initially assumed that creating deployment tasks via the API might not be sup

As for IPMI, if the device is a server and supports power management through IPMI, it would be very helpful

Wake-on-LAN is certainly useful for powering on systems, but it doesn’t ensure that they will boot dire

JackYwn

Wake-on-LAN is certainly useful for powering on machines, but it doesn't provide control over the boot source—so it can’t ensure the system will enter the PXE environment directly.

theopenem_admin

That's true, most pcs I have come across have the option to automatically boot to PXE if WOL packet is received, not sure if servers do as well,

JackYwn

Most servers support IPMI, and you can use tools such as ipmitool to further manage the server (boot items and power management)

For example: theopenem creates a deployment task, configures the server boot menu through the ipmitool tool, and then uses the ipmitool tool to power on or restart the server. This is a completely unattended system reset process.

JackYwn

Servers usually have a boot order, and the first boot is usually the hard disk.

If the hard disk has a system, the wake-up operation will not enter PXE.

Only when the hard disk has no system or partition and other boots do not exist (such as USB), the wake-up will enter PXE according to the boot order.