The Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) makes it possible to install computers via the network. PXE-enabled clients are automatically registered in the Matrix42 database when booting via LAN.

To create a new PXE server:

1. Right-click on Empirum-PXE > Add.
   
   

   When the Matrix42 PXE server is installed, an EMPINST$ share is created on the target system, which is used by Matrix42 PE to communicate with the PXE service.

    

• Default PXE Image
  The standard PXE image is used to assign an existing PXE image (created before) to any service.
  If no installations are to be performed via Self Provisioning, then the selection must be set to Default (standard).
  

  As of Empirum v24.0.1, the variable PXE_DEFAULTPXEIMAGE can be used to select the default PXE boot image for self-provisioning via variables (configuration or assignment groups) or via the variable configurations (preferred). If this variable is set, the default entry in Empirum DBUtil is overwritten. Currently, this variable must be removed and added again when a new PXE boot image is created or the name is changed.

   
• Apply to all PXE Servers
  By clicking this button, the selected PXE image setting can be assigned to all PXE servers. 
• EPE2 Bootmenu Settings
  Use the Configure... button to specify the settings for the selected PXE image.
  
• Enable Escaping
  If this box is checked, you have the option to open a boot menu via a self-defined hotkey when the EPE2 image is loaded. 
• Escaping
  • Timeout
    Specify how much time the user has to press the hotkey to open the boot menu.
  • Key
    Define a hotkey for the boot menu. 
• Menu:
  • Self Provisioning
    If this option is checked, the start menu provides the possibility to set up the computer via the self-provision function.
  • Boot from next Boot Device
    If this option is checked, the start menu provides the possibility to start from another device.
  • Reboot
    If this option is checked, the start menu provides the possibility to restart the system.
  • Display time
    Specify how long the menu is displayed. If this time expires without a selection, the system will be started automatically from the next boot device. If "0" is specified, the duration is not limited.
  • Automatic Self Provisioning for unmanaged computers
    If this box is checked, the Self Provisioning menu is started automatically on unmanaged systems. 
• OS Identification
  • Use MAC address instead of UUID
    If this option is activated (checked), no more UUIDs will be used for the operating system installation, only the MAC address.
    The main advantage of the SMBIOS UUID is that when using a docking station or a USB to Ethernet adapter, despite always the same MAC address, but different device UUID's, the corresponding device can be clearly identified and installed.
    

    If the "Use MAC address instead of UUID" option is set or changed, then the Empirum-PXE service must be reinstalled on the master server (via DBUtil) and on all depot servers (via Empirum Subdepot PXE service package). In the offline depot case, make sure that the appropriate dhcp_setup_<Depot name>.ini file is recreated and distributed to the offline depot servers through synchronization.

     
• Service Setting
  A list displays all PXE services. Double-click an entry or select Edit in the context menu to open the Matrix42 Services window, where you can make the desired settings
  
   
• PXE Server IP
  IP address of the Matrix42 server where the Empirum services shall be installed.
  

  Is the IP-address filled with 0.0.0.0 or is empty, all existing network cards will be found.

   
• PXE Subnet Mask
  Enter the respective subnet mask. Together with the IP address, it defines the network where the computer is located. 
• PXE Gateway
  Specify the IP address of the default gateway used to transmit data to other networks and subnets. 
• PXE DNS Server
  Enter the IP address of the DNS (Domain Name System) servers an, which resolves domain and computer names into IP addresses. 
• Servername
  Enter the name of the Matrix42 server. 
• Default PXE Image
  If no installations are to be performed via Self Provisioning, then the selection must be set to Default (standard).
  If installations are to be performed via self provisioning, then an EPE 4 or a WinPE boot image that is also capable of self provisioning must be selected here.
  In addition, the following registry value must then also be set on the Empirum Master and/or Depot Server:
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\matrix42\PXE\EPE4SP
  This must be set to 1 or created (type = DWORD; value = 1).
  

  As of Empirum v24.0.1, the variable "PXE_DEFAULTPXEIMAGE" can be used to select the default PXE boot image for self-provisioning via variables (configuration or assignment groups) or via the variable configurations (preferred). If this variable is set, the default entry in Empirum DBUtil is overwritten. Currently, this variable must be removed and added again when a new PXE boot image is created or the name is changed.

   
• Servermode
• Servicemode
  • Online
    The online service writes and reads directly in the database.
  • Offline
    In the offline mode, the service does not require a connection to the database. The required data are scanned from the respective OS.INI file. 
• Service Login
  Is used to specify a service user account; if this box is checked, you can configure a service user account in the Service Log On tab. This user account is used to launch the services. 
• Use known devices only
  This option is enabled and an external DHCP server is used, PXE requests are only responded to if the client is known to Matrix42 as PXE-enabled. This affects the self-provisioning function for unknown systems. Matrix42 does not support PXE requests from unknown devices any more and displays them as unqualified. 
• Server response delay
  The server response delay is important for Citrix environments, where both the Citrix Provisioning Server (PVS) and the Empirum server provide a PXE service and are run in the same subnet. It is important that the Citrix Provisioning Server (PVS) is the primary provisioning source for the starting clients to ensure that they can boot their respective images and to avoid the risk that Empirum PXE responds first, which would mean that the client does not boot the PVS image. For this reason and in this context, the default server response delay of the Empirum PXE server should, for instance, be set to 5 seconds, before it responds to a client. This makes it possible to run 2 PXE servers within the same broadcast domain and create the virtual machines with Matrix42, provide them an operating system and update them as required.