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Introduction: Intel® Boot Agent User Guide

Overview
Product Contents
Operating Environment
Boot-related Resources

Overview

The Intel® Boot Agent is a software product that allows your networked client computer to boot using a program code image supplied by a remote server. PC vendors can implement the Intel Boot Agent to accommodate various environments and protocols.

Implementation Support for the Boot Agent:

• Multi-protocol boot ROM code designed for remote booting from Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet Adapters, as well as LOM implementations
• Complies with the Pre-boot eXecution Environment Version 2.1 Specification
• Some versions of the Boot Agent also include support for Remote Program Load (RPL) runtime and loader software

Important Features Offered by the Intel Boot Agent:

• Same user interface for Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet Adapters
• Compliant with the Wired for Management Baseline 2.0 (WfM) specification
• Compatible with legacy boot agent environments that use BOOTP protocol
• Customizable in pre-boot, Windows*, and DOS environments

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Product Contents

When you purchase an Intel WfM-compatible adapter, the product package includes the following items related to the Boot Agent:

• A Boot Agent software image integrated into the adapter's flash ROM device
• A CD-ROM containing a set of DOS utilities, this online Intel Boot Agent User Guide, and a readme file

This software and documentation as well as updates are available from Customer Support.

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Operating Environment

The Boot Agent operates in a client/server environment. Often, in this environment, one or more servers provide remote boot services to a large number of client computers through a common network. The computer system where the Intel Boot Agent is loaded is considered to be a client with respect to the remote boot capability even if that system acts as a server after the system has finished booting.

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Boot-related Resources

An extensive list of hardware and software manufacturers provide products that support remote boot technology, conforming either to the Wired for Management (WfM) specifications or the PXE/RPL/BOOTP/DHCP protocols. These products are compatible with the Intel Boot Agent and include operating systems and servers, in addition to other boot-related products. For a listing of boot-related products and compatible flash ROM devices, of which Dell is currently aware, see Customer Support.

Please read all restrictions and disclaimers.

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