PXE Boot multiple machines across VLAN's

[manamaga2512]

Hi all, I have two issues. Firstly I'm taking a look into why we only seem to be able to PXE boot one machine at a time when imaging. Using WDS, I have had a look into the settings of the server (PXE Response tab) and these are the settings, yet we can only boot one machine at a time:

 

 

The second issue is that we can only image machines which are on our student VLAN, if we try to image a machine on the staff VLAN, it doesn't PXE boot. I don't know where to even start looking on this one, but I have spoken to the company who installed our infrastructure (we are a brand new building) and they assure me that multicasting is enabled on all of our switches.

 

Any advice would be gratefully received but go easy, I'm only just starting to dabble in this area since the departure of my network manager.

 

Cheers!

[Norphy]

In regards to the PXE boot issue, I'll bet dollars to doughnuts that you need to put an IP helper in for the VLANs that won't PXE boot. Multicast has nothing to do with it at this stage. Do you have access to the CLI on your core switch? What brand of switch is it? Edited August 1, 2017 by Norphy

[mdrabble]

IPHelpers and also check DHCP scope options 66 & 67 have been set.

 

66 needs to be deployment server

67 needs to be SMSBoot\x86\wdsnbp.com

[Norphy]

You shouldn't set options 66 and 67 unless your WDS Server is on the same installation of Windows as a DHCP server. Just setting IP helpers will be enough.

[manamaga2512]

@Norphy Yeah, I have access to all switches etc. Our core switch is an Aruba 5400R zl2. Edited August 1, 2017 by manamaga2512

[Mark182]

@Norphy Yeah, I have access to all switches etc. Our core switch is an Aruba 5400R zl2.

 

This should help you

[Norphy]

OK, so then it's easy. Log onto the switch via SSH.

 

Type the following:

conf
VLAN 
ip helper-address 
wr mem

 

Assuming that your VLANs are terminated at your core (and it's more unusual for them not to be than it is for them to be), devices in your staff VLAN should be able to detect your WDS server.

[manamaga2512]

This should help you

 

Shit! That might as well be in Spanish :-/ I've never configured switches using command line, I've always gone via the web interface (just the way I was shown). I can get onto the IT company who installed the switches to take a look at this. Does this tackle the cross VLAN issue or the booting multiple machines issue?

[Norphy]

What I've put up will resolve the cross VLAN PXE booting issue

 

conf
VLAN 
ip helper-address 
wr mem

[Davit2005]

Shit! That might as well be in Spanish :-/ I've never configured switches using command line, I've always gone via the web interface (just the way I was shown). I can get onto the IT company who installed the switches to take a look at this. Does this tackle the cross VLAN issue or the booting multiple machines issue?

 

You will find the CLI a lot faster once you get used to it, yes you do have to be carefull as you don't get a second chance but remember to write any changes before you do anything. If you really mess up you can always console to the switch if you can gain physical access and put it right. Take regular backups of your switches.

 

Add the IP address helper to all vlans that need to boot PXE. A good sign one is needed is that you will prob find an existing ip helper-address pointing to your existing DHCP servers (if all your servers are in same vlan). Jus add the WDS server as an additional entry.

Edited August 1, 2017 by Davit2005