PXE's Promise

Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) is one of a suite of protocols that constitutes Intel's Wired for Management (WfM) initiative. A PXE-capable client can boot from a network, letting administrators perform remote, OS-independent tasks such as OS loads, drive configuration, and BIOS flashing. Other protocols in the WfM initiative are Desktop Management Interface (DMI), Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI), and Remote Wake-Up. Intel promotes WfM as an open industry specification that will improve your ability to manage network clients of all types. Because WfM is a new standard, PCs fully integrated with the latest WfM specifications didn't start shipping until early 2000. Nonetheless, PXE-compatible PCs have been available from major manufacturers for more than a year. To be PXE-compatible, a PC must have a PXE-enabled BIOS and NIC or a NIC with a bootable programmable read-only memory (PROM--e.g., 3Com Managed PC Boot Agent). You can make most NICs with a PROM socket PXE-compatible. The latest NICs from Intel and 3Com conform to this standard out of the box. Most on-board NICs from Intel and 3Com also conform to this standard.