How to configure PXE server on AIX to install Red Hat Enterprise Linux
Environment
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5
Issue
- I am curious if it is possible to use AIX as a PXE boot server.
- I'm using an AIX NIM (Network Install Manager) server to build all AIX servers. Would be nice if I can use the same server for RHEL.
- I know that NIM won't build a bare-metal RHEL server, but I just want to store the RHEL software on the AIX server and direct RHEL servers to boot from it.
Resolution
Unfortunately, we don't have enough knowledge of AIX. So, we cannot provide the exact way to do that in AIX.
But, we can provide some guidance only.
To work PXE installation, the following services are needed.
- DHCP server with pxe configuration
System Firmware (not OS) tries to find the pxe bootloader. DHCP server needs to point the place.
- TFTP server
It stores the the kernel image, initial ram image, bootloader, and the configuration.
AIX may provide the service, so you can create the directory hierarchy as you do in RHEL.
- RHEL Installation repository
It's needed to be shared via HTTP, FTP, or NFS. It can be specified in kickstart file. This is no problem even on AIX.
The following article shows a way to configure PXE service on RHEL. So, almost part is not usable for your case.
But, it's useful to know the correct directory hierarchy for TFTP server.
https://access.redhat.com/site/solutions/108493
We wish you had some idea from this guidance. Regarding the detail of DHCP/TFTP configuration on AIX, please ask the vender.
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