PXE/TFTP Tab enables services needed to clone, backup and restore legacy Windows-based thin client (WES7 version 3.x.y and lower, XPe all version, WES8 all version). For other versions of devices see Device Images Manager Menu.
Hence, to clone, backup and restore old Windows-based thin clients it is necessary to check on Enable PXE Server, TFTP.
Prerequisites
- The device must start with Boot PXE option enabled (in Windows-based thin client this is the default configuration, for more information read How to set PXE Boot on thin client).
- In the LAN there must be an active DHCP Server and an active SMB 1.0/CIFS client support.
- There must be a shared directory where to put files needed for the operation. Be sure that the shared directory is protected by a username and a password and that is reachable from the thin clients. The User cannot be anonymous nor have an empty password. The User must have full access rights to the shared folder (read/write permissions).
Note
This operation requires large amount of bandwidth (a LAN is suggested). Beware that files saved in the directory can be very large (from 1 GB to 4GB depending on the DOM dimension) so be sure to have enough disk space to save files.
To set up the PXE Server follow the configurations hereinafter.
Flag Enable PXE Server, TFTP to enable this service.
Server Address is the IP Address of the shared directory. If the directory is configured in the same hosts where ThinMan Server is installed, use the IP Address of the server and do not insert 127.0.0.1. This address will be used by the thin client so be sure that thin client has network visibility of the server.
Share Name is the name of the shared directory in the server indicated above.
User is the username with privileges to access the shared directory.
Password and Confirm Password is the password related to the username.
Click on OK to save and confirm the configuration.
ΒΆ Subnets
In some cases, there is the necessity to use DHCP Relay functionality. If you have more subnets that refer to a single DHCP Server, run a DHCP Relay Server for every subnet to use ThinMan PXE/TFTP service.
Prerequisites for this configuration are:
- To have a DHCP Relay Server on every subnet
- To have the ThinMan Server on the same subnet where DHCP Server is located.
It is also necessary to have an IP Address reserved for this operation for every subnet. Be sure that this IP Address will never be delivered from DHCP Server to any network device under any circumstances.
To use subnets click on Set PXE Subnets. The new window will show a list of all configured subnets.
You can add a new subnet clicking on Add.
Insert values for these parameters:
- Subnet Name: a string representing a name for the subnet.
- DHCP Relay Address: is the IP Address of the DHCP Relay operating on the subnet.
- PXE Reserved Address: is the IP Address reserved for this operation. DHCP Server must be blocked to give this IP Address to other (consider using a reservation on the DHCP Server). This IP Address is given to thin client when booting via PXE.
- Subnet Mask: is the subnet mask related to the subnet. This mask is given to the thin client when booting via PXE.
- Default Gateway: is the IP Address of the default gateway related to the subnet. This parameter is given to the thin client when booting via PXE.
Click on OK to confirm parameters and save subnet.
The new subnet is shown in the list.
You can edit a pre-existent subnet by clicking on Edit.
You can remove a pre-existent subnet by clicking on Remove.