How to use Netboot.xyz to install any OS – Phanes Cloud Support Center

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This method of installing your server is for people with enough technical knowledge about servers and operating systems. You can always use our automated installer. Also, IPMI rights are required. If not present, please request it by opening a support ticket with our team.

What is Netboot.xyz?

netboot.xyz is a powerful tool that allows you to PXE boot various operating system installers or utilities from a single interface over the network. This means you can use one media source for many types of operating systems or tools. The iPXE project is used to provide a user-friendly menu within the BIOS, enabling you to easily choose the operating system you want, including specific versions or bootable flags.

With netboot.xyz, you can:

Remotely attach the ISO to servers

Set it up as a rescue option in GRUB

Configure your home network to boot from it by default

How netboot.xyz Works

netboot.xyz operates by leveraging iPXE, which is an open-source implementation of the PXE network booting protocol. iPXE extends the capabilities of standard PXE by allowing you to:

Boot from a variety of sources including HTTP, iSCSI, and FTP.

Use scripts to automate booting processes.

Boot into a user-friendly menu system that simplifies the selection and booting of various operating systems and tools.

What Operating Systems and Utilities does it offer?

Linux Network Installs

The Linux Network Installs Menu provides a lightweight method for installing operating systems that offer network bootable installers. This method retrieves a minimal set of installer kernels and installs packages as needed, making it a faster installation process since only the necessary packages are downloaded.

Live CD/Distro

The Live CD/Distro Menu includes operating systems that are available as ISO images or Live CD/DVDs. These images boot into memory without modifying the machine's storage and typically offer an installation option from the live system. netboot.xyz makes these images iPXE friendly by monitoring new version updates, retrieving releases, and modifying the initrd to ensure a consistent boot experience.

Utilities

The Utilities Menu provides access to various tools for tasks like disk cloning, drive wiping, or other rescue operations. It also includes endpoints for testing menus that may be in development.

How to Install Your Bare Metal Server Using netboot.xyz

Log in to the Bare Metal Management by going to your service in our client area and then clicking Log in to panel.

Select your server from the Servers list and click on Rescue.

Select Netboot.xyz from the option list and click Start Rescue. The system will now reboot your server and boot the Netboot.xyz ISO file.

Open the IPMI console by clicking Console on the top right. If this option is not available, please request it by opening a support ticket with our team.

In the IPMI Console window, in the Netboot.xyz screen that has been booted, select the desired operating system or utility that you want to install or use. For example, you might select a Linux distribution or a disk cloning tool.

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation or run the selected tool. This may involve selecting specific installation options or configurations.

Once the installation is complete, the server will reboot. You can now configure the installed operating system as needed.

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Possibly, you need to cancel the Rescue boot from the Bare Metal Manager.