Indyrb
asked on
PXE boot for ESXi on CENTOS 7
I created the CENTOS tftp and dhcp
I created the pxelinix.cfg\default directory.
I placed ESXi image into Directory along with Kickstartfile=KS.cfg, boot.cfg, isolinux.cfg
I am getting an IP address from DHCP, however I get this error
I created the pxelinix.cfg\default directory.
I placed ESXi image into Directory along with Kickstartfile=KS.cfg, boot.cfg, isolinux.cfg
I am getting an IP address from DHCP, however I get this error
TFTP prefix:
Trying to load: pxelinux.cfg\default
menu.C32: not a COM32R image
boot:
menu.C32: not a COM32R image
boot:
menu.C32: not a COM32R image
boot:
menu.C32: not a COM32R image
boot:
Use Syslinux v4.07 from https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/utils/boot/syslinux/
and these files
syslinux-4.07.zip\core\pxe linux.0
syslinux-4.07.zip\com32\ch ain\chain. c32
syslinux-4.07.zip\com32\me nu\menu.c3 2
syslinux-4.07.zip\com32\me nu\vesamen u.c32
Are you using WDS ?
what does your default menu file: look like ?
have you created one ?
DEFAULT menu.c32
PROMPT 0
MENU TITLE Chris' WDS PXE Boot Menu (x86)
MENU AUTOBOOT Starting Local System in 10 seconds
# Option 1 - Exit WDS PXE Linux & Boot Normally
LABEL bootlocal
MENU LABEL ^Boot Normally
MENU default
LOCALBOOT 0
TIMEOUT 100
TOTALTIMEOUT 9000
# Option 2 - Run WDS
LABEL wds
MENU LABEL ^Windows Deployment Services Boot
KERNEL pxeboot.0
# Option 3 - Install ESXi 5.5 Update 3b
LABEL ESXi5.5u3
MENU label ^ESXi5.5 Update 3b - Build 3248547 Installer
KERNEL /ESXi/5.5u3b/MBOOT.C32
APPEND -c /ESXi/5.5u3b/BOOT.CFG
you will also need to edit the ESXi BOOT.CFG
and these files
syslinux-4.07.zip\core\pxe
syslinux-4.07.zip\com32\ch
syslinux-4.07.zip\com32\me
syslinux-4.07.zip\com32\me
Are you using WDS ?
what does your default menu file: look like ?
have you created one ?
DEFAULT menu.c32
PROMPT 0
MENU TITLE Chris' WDS PXE Boot Menu (x86)
MENU AUTOBOOT Starting Local System in 10 seconds
# Option 1 - Exit WDS PXE Linux & Boot Normally
LABEL bootlocal
MENU LABEL ^Boot Normally
MENU default
LOCALBOOT 0
TIMEOUT 100
TOTALTIMEOUT 9000
# Option 2 - Run WDS
LABEL wds
MENU LABEL ^Windows Deployment Services Boot
KERNEL pxeboot.0
# Option 3 - Install ESXi 5.5 Update 3b
LABEL ESXi5.5u3
MENU label ^ESXi5.5 Update 3b - Build 3248547 Installer
KERNEL /ESXi/5.5u3b/MBOOT.C32
APPEND -c /ESXi/5.5u3b/BOOT.CFG
you will also need to edit the ESXi BOOT.CFG
ASKER
closed out previous question will work from this one: (Thank you)
for default inside pxelinux.cfg is as follows:
okay i moved mboot.c32 into esxi6u3 i was able to finally select the label
but now it says
for default inside pxelinux.cfg is as follows:
DEFAULT menu.c32
MENU TITLE ESXi 6 Update 3 Boot Menu
MENU AUTOBOOT Starting Local System in 10 seconds
NOHALT 1
PROMPT 0
TIMEOUT 80
LABEL ESXi 6 Install
KERNEL /esxi6u3/mboot.c32
APPEND -c /esxi6u3/boot.cfg ks=http://xxx.xxxx.local/KS/KS.cfg +++
IPAPPEND 2
LABEL hddboot
LOCALBOOT 0x80
MENU LABEL ^4 Boot from local disk
MENU LABEL +------------------------------------------------------+
LABEL comment2
MENU LABEL | ESXi 6.0u3 |
LABEL comment3
MENU LABEL | |
LABEL comment4
MENU LABEL +G----------------------------------------------------S+
okay i moved mboot.c32 into esxi6u3 i was able to finally select the label
but now it says
Loading -c Failed..........
No files found!
boot:
ASKER
boot.cfg inside /esxi6u3/boot.cfg
bootstate=0
title=Loading ESXi installer
timeout=5
kernel=tboot.b00
kernelopt=runweasel ks=http://xxxxxx.xxxxxxx.local/KS/KS.CFG +++
modules=b.b00 --- jumpstrt.gz --- useropts.gz --- k.b00 --- chardevs.b00 --- a.b00 --- user.b00 --- uc_intel.b00 --- uc_amd.b00 --- sb.v00 --- s.v00 --- net_tg3.v00 --- dell_eql.v00 --- net_igb.v00 --- net_ixgb.v00 --- mtip32xx.v00 --- ata_pata.v00 --- ata_pata.v01 --- ata_pata.v02 --- ata_pata.v03 --- ata_pata.v04 --- ata_pata.v05 --- ata_pata.v06 --- ata_pata.v07 --- block_cc.v00 --- ehci_ehc.v00 --- elxnet.v00 --- emulex_e.v00 --- weaselin.t00 --- esx_dvfi.v00 --- esx_ui.v00 --- ima_qla4.v00 --- ipmi_ipm.v00 --- ipmi_ipm.v01 --- ipmi_ipm.v02 --- lpfc.v00 --- lsi_mr3.v00 --- lsi_msgp.v00 --- lsu_hp_h.v00 --- lsu_lsi_.v00 --- lsu_lsi_.v01 --- lsu_lsi_.v02 --- lsu_lsi_.v03 --- lsu_lsi_.v04 --- misc_cni.v00 --- misc_dri.v00 --- net_bnx2.v00 --- net_bnx2.v01 --- net_cnic.v00 --- net_e100.v00 --- net_e100.v01 --- net_enic.v00 --- net_forc.v00 --- net_mlx4.v00 --- net_mlx4.v01 --- net_nx_n.v00 --- net_vmxn.v00 --- nmlx4_co.v00 --- nmlx4_en.v00 --- nmlx4_rd.v00 --- nvme.v00 --- ohci_usb.v00 --- qlnative.v00 --- rste.v00 --- sata_ahc.v00 --- sata_ata.v00 --- sata_sat.v00 --- sata_sat.v01 --- sata_sat.v02 --- sata_sat.v03 --- sata_sat.v04 --- scsi_aac.v00 --- scsi_adp.v00 --- scsi_aic.v00 --- scsi_bnx.v00 --- scsi_bnx.v01 --- scsi_fni.v00 --- scsi_hps.v00 --- scsi_ips.v00 --- scsi_meg.v00 --- scsi_meg.v01 --- scsi_meg.v02 --- scsi_mpt.v00 --- scsi_mpt.v01 --- scsi_mpt.v02 --- scsi_qla.v00 --- uhci_usb.v00 --- vsan.v00 --- vsanheal.v00 --- vsanmgmt.v00 --- xhci_xhc.v00 --- tools.t00 --- xorg.v00 --- imgdb.tgz --- imgpayld.tgz --- extras.tgz
build=
updated=0
Is that boot.cfg stock ? (it does need changing see below!)
looks like a path error.... in the menu
I would simplify the menu to test
DEFAULT menu.c32
PROMPT 0
MENU TITLE WDS PXE Boot Menu (x86)
MENU AUTOBOOT Starting Local System in 10 seconds
# Option 1 - Exit WDS PXE Linux & Boot Normally
LABEL bootlocal
MENU LABEL ^Boot Normally
MENU default
LOCALBOOT 0
TIMEOUT 100
TOTALTIMEOUT 9000
# Option 2 - Install ESXi 5.5 Update 3b
LABEL ESXi5.5u3
MENU label ^ESXi5.5 Update 3b - Build 3248547 Installer
KERNEL /ESXi/5.5u3b/MBOOT.C32
APPEND -c /ESXi/5.5u3b/BOOT.CFG
check that your path for KERNEL and APPEND is correct.
Also you will need t edit the ESXi BOOT.CFG and make sure that file has the correct path o all the Vibs.
But you are not getting that far at present.
looks like a path error.... in the menu
I would simplify the menu to test
DEFAULT menu.c32
PROMPT 0
MENU TITLE WDS PXE Boot Menu (x86)
MENU AUTOBOOT Starting Local System in 10 seconds
# Option 1 - Exit WDS PXE Linux & Boot Normally
LABEL bootlocal
MENU LABEL ^Boot Normally
MENU default
LOCALBOOT 0
TIMEOUT 100
TOTALTIMEOUT 9000
# Option 2 - Install ESXi 5.5 Update 3b
LABEL ESXi5.5u3
MENU label ^ESXi5.5 Update 3b - Build 3248547 Installer
KERNEL /ESXi/5.5u3b/MBOOT.C32
APPEND -c /ESXi/5.5u3b/BOOT.CFG
check that your path for KERNEL and APPEND is correct.
Also you will need t edit the ESXi BOOT.CFG and make sure that file has the correct path o all the Vibs.
But you are not getting that far at present.
ASKER
i saw an article that indicated to remove all the / with the sed command for the boot.cfg
The boot.cfg was stock with the ESXi build, but then altered to add the KS=http:///
and also remove all the / using the sed command.
I guess this is wrong? or is this right?
The boot.cfg was stock with the ESXi build, but then altered to add the KS=http:///
and also remove all the / using the sed command.
I guess this is wrong? or is this right?
Let's ignore boot.cfg at present because it's not booting or getting that far
Look at correct path in your default menu
Look at correct path in your default menu
ASKER
okay.. so I placed the folders in my tftpboot directory.
/var/lib/tftpboot
there are folders as follows:
/esxi6u3
/esxi6u2
/pxelinux.cfg
My path seems right, unless it is not landing into /var/lib/tftpboot/
I thought I had a typo with case sensitivty and got all excited, but sadly this wasnt it, and received the same error:
/var/lib/tftpboot
there are folders as follows:
/esxi6u3
/esxi6u2
/pxelinux.cfg
My path seems right, unless it is not landing into /var/lib/tftpboot/
I thought I had a typo with case sensitivty and got all excited, but sadly this wasnt it, and received the same error:
ASKER
and check systemctl status tftp -l
tftp.service - Tftp Server
Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/system/tftp.service; enabled; vendor preset: disabled)
Active: inactive (dead) since Wed 2017-04-26 15:08:02 EDT; 1h 24min ago
Process: 1013 ExecStart=/usr/sbin/in.tftpd -c -s /var/lib/tftpboot (code=exited, status=0/SUCCESS)
Main PID: 1013 (code=exited, status=0/SUCCESS)
Apr 26 14:53:02 hostname systemd[1]: Started Tftp Server.
Apr 26 14:53:02 hostname systemd[1]: Starting Tftp Server...
ASKER
not WDS.. using centos 7 tftp/apache/dhcp
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
ASKER
whats wierd is I pulled up FileZilla. and quick connect to my CENTOS and it connected successfully.
However my directory is as follows for remote
so maybe i have it all wrong, Use /pub ?
However my directory is as follows for remote
/
+/pub
/pub/efi/
/pub/ks
/pub/upgrade
so maybe i have it all wrong, Use /pub ?
ASKER
yea its definately not going where it needs to go. the FTP take me to an older ESXI folder.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
same error
Getting same error:
Then it flashes away and in 10 seconds it does it again.
changed as follows:
# Option 1 - Run ESXi 6.0u3 Installer
LABEL ESXi 6.0u3 Scripted Install
MENU LABEL ^1 ESXi Scripted Install
KERNEL esxi6u3/mboot.c32
APPEND -c esxi6u3/BOOT.CFG ks=http://xxx-xxxxx-xxxx.domain.local/KS/EXP.cfg +++
Getting same error:
Loading -c ... failed!
No files found!
boot:
Then it flashes away and in 10 seconds it does it again.
ASKER
is there a conf file that I can edit to make sure directories is right... beside the default.
Its like I am landing somewhere and its not picking up the correct path.. Not sure though
Any test I can do to validate this?
Its like I am landing somewhere and its not picking up the correct path.. Not sure though
Any test I can do to validate this?
ASKER
TFTP config inside /etc/xinet.d/tftp is as follows:
# default: off
# description: The tftp server serves files using the trivial file transfer \
# protocol. The tftp protocol is often used to boot diskless \
# workstations, download configuration files to network-aware printers, \
# and to start the installation process for some operating systems.
service tftp
{
socket_type = dgram
protocol = udp
wait = yes
user = root
server = /usr/sbin/in.tftpd
server_args = -c -s /var/lib/tftpboot
disable = no
per_source = 11
cps = 100 2
flags = IPv4
}
SOLUTION
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ASKER
removing the KS= had no affect. : (
ks=http://somehostname.domain.local/KS/KS.cfg +++
ASKER
from /var/log/messages
Still getting the:
Still getting the:
Loading -c ... Failed!
No file Found!
boot:
systemd[1]: Starting Session 3 of user root.
dbus[1032]: [system] Activating service name='org.freedesktop.problems' (using servicehelper)
dbus-daemon[1032]: dbus[1032]: [system] Activating service name='org.freedesktop.problems' (using servicehelper)
dbus[1032]: [system] Successfully activated service 'org.freedesktop.problems'
dbus-daemon[1032]: dbus[1032]: [system] Successfully activated service 'org.freedesktop.problems'
Log statistics; processed='destination(d_spol)=0', processed='src.internal(s_sys#2)=267', stamp='src.internal(s_sys#2)=1493392391', processed='center(received)=267', processed='destination(d_mesg)=19460', processed='destination(d_mail)=2', processed='destination(d_auth)=158', processed='destination(d_mlal)=0', processed='center(queued)=20470', processed='src.none()=0', stamp='src.none()=0', processed='destination(d_cron)=623', processed='global(payload_reallocs)=282', processed='global(sdata_updates)=0', processed='destination(d_boot)=210', processed='destination(d_kern)=17', processed='global(msg_clones)=0', processed='source(s_sys)=267'
in.tftpd[9236]: Client finished menu.c32
in.tftpd[9237]: Client finished pxelinux.cfg/default
in.tftpd[9238]: Client finished esxi6u3/mboot.c32
in.tftpd[9240]: Client finished menu.c32
in.tftpd[9241]: Client finished pxelinux.cfg/default
in.tftpd[9242]: Client finished esxi6u3/mboot.c32
in.tftpd[9244]: Client finished menu.c32
in.tftpd[9245]: Client finished pxelinux.cfg/default
ASKER
So i got it to boot into ESXi installer.
However now it just sits there at Loaded USER Successfully [locked up to be exact]
See attached
Untitled.jpg
However now it just sits there at Loaded USER Successfully [locked up to be exact]
See attached
Untitled.jpg
what is your boot.cfg did you change it, so the path is relative to all the files?
it could be read fault, networking...
or incompatible host.
it could be read fault, networking...
or incompatible host.
ASKER
that would make sense, I did do a special boot for the dell offline image, and wanted to test on a VM inside VCENTER to test, since it isnt physical and I can reboot and test willy knilly.... But as far as reading the default file it works.
at that stage, everything has been read from source network, and is being read into memory.
ASKER
okay, i tried on physical machine and it went past the Loaded USER Successfully
ASKER
thank you so much Mr. Hancock, I posted a new question, after closing this one out. Hopefully you can give some insight
Awarded points per above issue. Now next issue :(
See question below:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/29019701/vmware-pxe-boot-install.html
Awarded points per above issue. Now next issue :(
See question below:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/29019701/vmware-pxe-boot-install.html
ASKER
But when I get my menu and push the enter key, it doesnt do anything.
Just says Press [TAB] to edit options
Starting Local System in 10 seconds