You will need both a DHCP server and a TFTP server to configure networking on the install target and to facilitate the transfer of files between the server and the client.ĭnsmasq does both, and is extremely easy to set up. You will need to setup a DHCP server, a TFTP server for transferring the NBP and one of the following services for transferring the root filesystem: HTTP server, NFS or NBD.īring up your wired network adapter, and assign it an address appropriately.

Run pixiecore quick arch -dhcp-no-bind as root.

PixiecoreĪ all-in-one solution is provided by pixiecore Note: The Arch netboot supports both BIOS and UEFI booting. Where release_date is the release date in the ISO filename like, e.g., 2020.10.01. # mount -o loop,ro archlinux- release_date-x86_64.iso /mnt/archiso In order to gather the files that will be transferred from the server to the client for booting, get the latest official install media from the download page. Then the root filesystem is transferred using one of the following protocols: HTTP, NFS or NBD. The kernel and the initramfs are also transferred this way. The NBP is transferred from the PXE server to the client using TFTP, to be loaded into memory and executed. The DHCP server responds with networking information (the IP address assigned to the client) and also provides, by using specific bootstrap protocol (BOOTP) parameters of the DHCP, additional information like the TFTP server address, the path of the initial network bootstrap program (NBP) to download or the boot configuration file name. The client starts by broadcasting packets asking for a DHCP server and containing specific PXE options.

It is useful to give an overview of the PXE boot process in order to understand the #Server setup, the #Installation on the client side and the Arch Linux files needed.

5.2 VirtualBox cannot boot while real machines can.

3.3 Transferring archiso root filesystem.

Build a netboot server