3Com 3C996B-T User Manual

Contents

3Com 3C996B-T User Manual Manual pdf 113 page image

105B Installing and Using the ManagedPC Boot AgentBooting From the NetworkThis section explains how to use the Managed PC Boot Agent (MBA) to boot fromthe network.MBA allows the PC to boot from the server rather than from its local hard drive. MBAis compliant with the Wired for Management, Preboot Execution Environment (PXE)specification.Using the Boot ROM on the NIC to Boot from the NetworkThe boot process for the MBA boot ROM varies depending on the type of PC you have(BBS BIOS-compatible or non-BBS BIOS-compatible).If your PC was purchased recently, it may be BBS (BIOS Boot Specification) BIOS-compatible. The BBS determines how the system BIOS identifies boot devices in a PC (suchas a CD-ROM drive, a hard drive, or a floppy drive), allows the user to select the bootorder of these devices, and then attempts to boot from each device in the specified order.Refer to your PC documentation if you do not know which type of PC you have.BBS BIOS-Compatible PCsTo enable a BBS BIOS-compatible PC to boot from the network using the MBA boot ROM:1 Make sure that the NIC boot ROM setting is Enabled.See on page 106 for instructions.2 Set the MBA manually as the first boot device in the PC BIOS.Refer to your PC documentation for instructions on accessing and configuring thePC BIOS.3 Reboot the PC.The MBA attempts to boot from the network using the default boot method PXE.To change the default method or any other MBA configurations, press Ctrl + Alt + Bwhen the following message appears:Initializing MBA. Press Ctrl+Alt+B to configure...If the network boot fails, the following message appears:Network boot aborted, press any key to continueThe BIOS continues to the next device in the boot order (for example, the localhard drive).NOTE: For detailed information on using, configuring, and troubleshooting theMBA, see the Managed PC Boot Agent User Guide, located with the MBAsoftware on the 3Com Installation CD.NOTE: To cancel the network boot, press Esc anytime during the networkboot process.