Implements a Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) Proxy Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server.
To start the pxed daemon using the system resource controller:
startsrc -s pxed [ -a]
To start the pxed daemon without using the system resource controller:
pxed [ -f ConfigurationFile]
The Preboot Execution Environment defines a protocol and mechanism through which network-connected client systems can automatically download boot images from a network server to start their operating system. As an extension to the BOOTP and DHCP protocols, it provides the configuration ability for administrators that are not necessarily DHCP or network administrators to manage the operating systems installed on the PXE-capable client systems.
Like a DHCP server, the PXE Proxy DHCP server provides information needed by a PXE client to locate and download its appropriate boot files from a network server. However, the PXE Proxy DHCP server does not administer client IP addresses or other DHCP client options.
The PXE Proxy DHCP server is intended to be used when the management of the system boot images must be separated from the management of the DHCP addresses and DHCP client network configurations. The pxed daemon can be configured to run on a system that is the DHCP server or is not the DHCP server.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| -a | The argument to be supplied. |
| -f ConfigurationFile | Specifies the path and name of the configuration file that is to be used by the server. If unspecified, the default is /etc/pxed.cnf. |
This command returns the following exit values:
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| 0 | Successful completion. |
| >0 | An error occurred. |
Access Control: You must have root authority to run this command.
The PXE protocol allows for a nonprivileged user to be the administrator of the PXE client boot images because the pxed daemon listens to client messages on ports other than the well-known, protected DHCP server port. However, to configure such an environment, the DHCP server must be running on the same server system as the pxed daemon, and the file permissions on the pxed daemon must be changed for non-root execution.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| /usr/sbin/pxed | Contains the PXE Proxy DHCP server daemon. |
| /usr/sbin/db_file.dhcpo | Implements a database to be used by the PXE Proxy DHCP server and the DHCP server to store, retrieve, and manage configuration information. |
| /etc/pxed.cnf | The default configuration file for the pxed daemon. |