NC51xx PCIe 10 Gigabit Server Adapter Software and Configuration Guide

Installation and configuration 22
• A Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server — Used to assign an IP address to the
network adapter and to specify a boot image to download and load. Typically, a system
administrator configures a DHCP server to provide boot parameters.
• A Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) server — Used by the network adapter to download a PXE boot
loader.
• System BIOS enabled for PCI Expansion ROM scanning of the PCI slot where the network adapter is
installed. PCI Expansion ROM scanning allows the network adapter's PXE driver to be loaded and
executed during system boot time.
Configuring PCI behavior is system BIOS dependent but usually requires accessing the BIOS setup
screen and configuring the PCI advanced or boot properties. Also, the system BIOS must be enabled
to boot from the NC51xx network adapter.
• Desired boot order selected to insure that the appropriate boot sequence occurs.
When PCI Expansion ROM scanning is enabled and the NC51xx network adapter is installed
correctly, the NC51xx network adapter displays as a boot option in the system BIOS boot order
menu.
PXE functionality in the firmware is disabled by default.
Complete the following steps to enable or disable PXE functionality for Windows.
1. Execute the following command to enable PXE functionality:
nxflash -i NX_NIC<Device #> --opt-rom-on
2. Execute the following command to disable PXE functionality:
nxflash -i NX_NIC<Device #> --opt-rom-off
Complete the following steps to enable or disable PXE functionality for Linux.
1. Execute the following command to enable PXE functionality:
nxflash -i eth<#> --opt-rom-on
2. Execute the following command to disable PXE functionality:
nxflash -i eth<#> --opt-rom-off
Currently, the PXE interface for NC51xx adapters DOES NOT support the Proliant Essentials Rapid
Deployment Pack (RDP).