How to contrl PXE boot remotely

Miriyala, Vasu 21 Reputation points
2020-09-22T07:06:21.823+00:00

Hi Champs

Are there any ways/tools to manage PXE boot remotely, including pressing F12 and select and run a particular Task Sequence etc. Basically we wanted to do the PXE issue troubleshooting remotely without local IT staff help. Any suggestions are welcome

Thanks, Vasu

Microsoft Configuration Manager Deployment
Microsoft Configuration Manager Deployment
Microsoft Configuration Manager: An integrated solution for for managing large groups of personal computers and servers.Deployment: The process of delivering, assembling, and maintaining a particular version of a software system at a site.
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  1. Jason Sandys 31,171 Reputation points Microsoft Employee
    2020-09-22T16:04:05.073+00:00

    vPro is a hardware-based solution that will give you complete control over the system exactly as if you were physically able to touch the device. This includes any boot time screens and interactions like pressing F12.

    DART and VNC are software-based solutions that will not give you this as they only load and are only accessible after an OS begins running on a system.

    vPro or a KVM that enables remote access are your best choices here.

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  1. Eswar Koneti 2,201 Reputation points
    2020-09-22T10:54:18.163+00:00

    Hi Vasu,
    You can either make the task sequence as mandatory to a collection and let the device boot into PXE and continue the TS
    There is no tool (AFAIK) that make the pxe boot remotely without any manual intervention as it first need to connect to network before you do anything remotely.
    If you want to monitor the PXE OSD deployment, you can inject the remote tools such as DART or vnc etc into the boot image for troubleshooting purpose.
    https://contosoniku.wordpress.com/2016/09/18/enable-winpe-remote-connection-via-dart-in-sccm/

    Regards,
    Eswar

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  2. Sebastian187 1 Reputation point
    2020-09-22T11:12:28.61+00:00

    Afaik, the only available to solution for your task is Intel's "vPro".

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  3. Miriyala, Vasu 21 Reputation points
    2020-09-22T11:20:00.007+00:00

    Thanks Eswar,

    Our requirement is similar to Out of band management of Intel AMT, where we can Power ON a remote PC, boot it into PXE (F12), then be able to interact with PC until Imaging is completed, the same way we do if we are in front of PC. No Dart due to licensing limitations :-)

    We are looking for any other tools on same lines of Intel AMT, in OOB space. can you share more info on VNC please ?

    Thanks, Vasu

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  4. Sebastian187 1 Reputation point
    2020-09-22T11:28:34.323+00:00

    There are two ways of powering on desktop mainboards.

    1 - Wake on LAN (unreliable imho)

    2 - Intel AMT (vPro)

    To control your mainboard before OS boot you will have to look into Intel AMT/vPro. I am not aware of any other solution.

    VNC is software solution running on your OS. You cannot enter BIOS or boot menu in order to PXE boot your desktops with VNC.

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