[Technical tips] Run PXE boot using the Vortex86 onboard network chip R6040

PXE Boot is a network boot (Preboot eXecution Environment Boot) method that allows a computer to boot an operating system or other software from a remote server or storage device over a network in the absence of a local storage device such as a hard drive. This technology is commonly used in enterprise environments for centralized management and deployment of large numbers of computers.

PXE boot process:

• When a computer boots, the network interface card (NIC) sends a request to a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server on the network to obtain an IP address and other network settings.
• The DHCP server responds to the computer's request and provides network settings such as IP address, subnet mask, gateway, etc. It also tells the computer how to perform a PXE boot using the boot configuration information provided by DHCP.
• After obtaining the network configuration information, the computer sends a request to a TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol) server on the network to obtain the boot loader file (usually a boot loader).
• The computer downloads the bootloader file from the remote server via TFTP and loads it into memory for execution.
• The boot loader file is responsible for subsequent operations, such as downloading and executing the operating system image from the remote server or performing other required operations such as network installation or configuration.

Hardware Preparation

• VDX2/VDX3 Boards x1 pcs
• 5V Power Cable x1 pcs
• USB Cable x1 pcs
• LAN Cable x1 pcs
• VGA Cable x1 pcs

Operating Procedure:

1. Press Del to Entrance to the BIOS setting.

2. Select the Chipset option to configure the SouthBridge Configuration

3. Setting the SB LAN Boot and select the options Used INT 19h

4. Press F10 and OK to save the configuration

5. Save the configuration the SBC will reboot

6. The board will reboot and connect the LAN to Run PXE boot

※ ICOP's DX / SX broads BIOS Configuration are different, please select Advance to find the SB LAN Boot

The above are all the operation steps, and you can end the operation after the setting is completed.