How to configure the Microsoft DHCP server for PXE?
Configuring Microsoft DHCP server
To boot the computers, you will have to configure the DHCP server in one of the boot modes (Legacy BIOS or UEFI). If all the computers in your network support a single boot type, it is enough to configure the DHCP server only for that boot mode. If you want to deploy OS to multiple boot-type computers, a few computers will require UEFI (secure or unsecure) boot mode, and a few computers will require Legacy BIOS boot mode. In this case, you will have to configure the DHCP server for multiple boot modes. OS Deployer supports automated DHCP server configuration and you can also manually configure the same.
Automatic configuration
OS Deployer allows users to automatically configure the Microsoft DHCP server using the PXE troubleshooting tool.
Manual configuration
This document will explain the steps to configure DHCP only for a single boot mode and configure DHCP for multiple boot modes.
- Configuring DHCP only for a single boot mode. (Legacy BIOS or UEFI)
- Configuring DHCP for multiple boot modes. (Secure UEFI, UEFI, and Legacy BIOS)
Configuring DHCP only for a single boot mode (Legacy BIOS or UEFI)
To configure the DHCP server on Legacy BIOS mode, follow the steps given below:
- Go to the machine where the DHCP server is running.
- Open Server Manager and select DHCP from the left side.
- Right-click on the DHCP server and select DHCP Manager. The DHCP console will open now.
- Double-click the DHCP server and select your network IP version (IPv4/IPv6).
- Right-click on Server Options and select Configure Options.
- Under the Generaltab:
- Enable 066 Boot Server Host Name and enter the IP address of the machine where Endpoint Central Server is installed. For remote offices, enter the IP of the distribution server.
- Enable 067 Bootfile Name:
- For Legacy BIOS: boot\pxeboot.n12
- For UEFI 64-bit: EFI\Boot\bootx64.efi
- For UEFI 32-bit: EFI\Boot\bootia32.efi
- If scope options are defined:
- Configure the same under Scope Options instead of Server Options (Scope options take precedence).
Note:
- If there is any difference between the scope and server options, scope options are prioritized.
- Ensure 060 option is removed from DHCP settings to avoid PXE disruption.
Configuring DHCP for multiple boot modes (Secure UEFI, UEFI, and Legacy BIOS)
Note: Vendor classes and policies are not available in Windows Server 2010 and below.
- Step 1: Create Custom Vendor Classes
- Step 2: Create Custom DHCP Policies
- Step 3: Remove Default PXE Options
Step 1: Creating Custom Vendor Classes
Follow these steps to create custom vendor classes for each boot mode:
- Open the DHCP console and expand the IPv4 Node.
- Right-click IPv4 Node → Define Vendor Classes → Click ‘Add’.
- Enter:
- PXEClient (UEFI x64) — ASCII: PXEClient:Arch:00007
- PXEClient (UEFI x86) — ASCII: PXEClient:Arch:00006
- PXEClient (BIOS x86 & x64) — ASCII: PXEClient:Arch:00000
Step 2: Creating Custom DHCP Policies
UEFI 64-bit Policy
- Create a new policy for PXEClient (UEFI x64)
- Set Boot Server IP and Boot File Name as: EFI\Boot\bootx64.efi
BIOS x86/x64 Policy
- Create a new policy for PXEClient (BIOS x86 & x64)
- Set Boot Server IP and Boot File Name as: boot\pxeboot.n12
UEFI 32-bit Policy
- Create a new policy for PXEClient (UEFI x86)
- Set Boot Server IP and Boot File Name as: EFI\Boot\bootia32.efi
Step 3: Remove Default PXE Options
Ensure 066, 067, and 060 options are removed from default DHCP settings to allow policies to take precedence.
You have now successfully configured the DHCP server. The PXE media is now ready to host image deployment and offline image creation.
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