Looking for a PXE server similar to Serva but open source / free

[AllanHall]

Looking for a solution like Serva, where I can PXE boot to a menu of OSs to install (install, not deploy from images). Need to be able to do various Windows installs (7, 8.1, 10, 2016, 2019, 2022), Linux installs would be really awesome too, and if it could boot to another image such as a PXE USB with utilities on it that would be a huge bonus but not required.

I don't care what the OS it needs to run on is, Win/Linux/Whatever.

I very much liked Serva, but am not into paying for software for the rest of my life. Don't mind one-time payments with a reasonable price, but of course, free is better even if I have to do more work to get it working. This is for personal, non-commercial use at the moment.

Ideas, suggestions, pointers, all welcome. Thanks!

 

[NviGate Systems]

From what I recall Serva is a one time fee, as I bought it years ago.

 

[AllanHall]

From what I recall Serva is a one time fee, as I bought it years ago.

I talked to them today, it is about $67 per year, every year. They replied:
"> The annual license cost is for maintenance, support, upgrades and software performance.
> When the license expires the software stops working."

 

[NviGate Systems]

Perhaps when I bought it it was different, my version hasn't expired from what I can remember, but my version is old like "Serva 32 2.14" so it's likely they changed how it expires etc over the years. I bought mine way back in 2010's roughly. I don't have any machines to test it on ATM, but I'll try and remember to update this thread.

 

[NJW]

I have no experience with Serva, but it isn't difficult to set up a PXE environment if you have access to the network DHCP config. I have iPXE, which chainloads (using the BOIS PXE) via TFTP from a Debian server, with OpenWRT handing DHCP on the router.

If you want a more integrated solution, have a look at FOG Project. Although it is primarily intended for backup and image deployment, it's also possible to install an OS from an ISO image. It uses iPXE behind the curtain.

With these arrangements, it's necessary (or rather, it's easiest for me) to boot to a WinPE environment from the PXE menu, then install Windows from an NFS a SAMBA share (mounted Windows .iso), on the same Debian server. Linux installers and Linux-based tools (e.g., Clonezilla, SystemRescueCD) boot from kernel and system files extracted from the respective distribution ISO image and entries for those are on the PXE menu.

On the other hand, $67 a year doesn't sound much to pay if you want to avoid the learning curve and have commercial support on hand.

Edit to correct Windows .iso share protocol. The iPXE TFTP resources are made available by NFS.

 

[mikeroq]

Maybe could use WDS on Windows Server and do this:

Add Boot Images to Syslinux on WDS

Add Boot Images to Syslinux on WDS There are really only two steps to adding MOST of your own custom boot images to the Syslinux network boot menu. Put the ISO, IMG, or IMA file in the <server&g…

www.d7xtech.com

I used MDT for imaging and most of my bootables were WinPE based so I could add them directly to WDS as a boot option.

 

[SAFCasper]

Keen in mind Windows 11 is going to require UEFI and Secure Boot enabled which might rule out a lot of projects.

You can switch Secure Boot off during the install then enable again afterwards but thats just another step which is never welcome when trying to optimise deployments.

 

[Sky-Knight]

Secure boot will be a requirement for operation, not installation. It's going to be a standard practice to turn that off, and then turn it back on again after the first reboot.

And yeah, that step right there is why I gave up on PXE, and image based deployments... and instead boot to USB and script from there.

 

[NviGate Systems]

Well, that's partially true. It depends on the firmware that is installed on the machine. If it's Class 0 UEFI, no CSM or Legacy is available and you must boot/install/run in UEFI. Yes, Secure Boot can be disabled for install if the network boot isn't signed (vendor/oem willing)

So that is a consideration as some machines flat out won't run anything but UEFI.

 

[Sky-Knight]

@NviGate Systems That would be all systems now... Legacy was disabled on all Intel platforms July of 2020. AMD followed suit not long after.

So if you're working with brand new, there is no legacy or CSM... just pure EFI boot all around.

 

[cyabro]

Never used but there’s this https://fogproject.org/

 

[mikeroq]

I had tried out FOG many years ago. Didn't really get into it. I decided WDS/MDT was better since all I deployed was Windows.

 

[AllanHall]

After doing a lot of looking around I see why Serva is able to rent their software, there really is no competition that I can find with the same feature set. If I had the time it looks like that would be a great open source project to start.

Oh well, thanks for the input anywya.