Preboot Execution Environment (PXE)

Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) is a network booting protocol that enables a computer to boot from a network interface. PXE was developed by Intel and has been widely adopted as a standard for network booting. PXE allows computers to be booted over the network, without requiring a local disk drive or operating system.

PXE works by having a client computer request an IP address and boot file from a server on the network. The server responds by providing an IP address and a boot file, which the client computer then downloads and executes. This allows the client computer to boot an operating system or other software image directly from the network, without the need for local storage.

PXE is commonly used in enterprise environments to facilitate automated operating system deployments, as well as to perform remote diagnostics and repair of client computers. PXE is also used in some embedded systems and other specialized environments where local storage is not practical or desirable.

See Also

• IT Strategy (Information Technology Strategy)
• IT Governance
• Enterprise Architecture
• Chief Information Officer (CIO)
• IT Sourcing (Information Technology Sourcing)
• IT Operations (Information Technology Operations)
• E-Strategy