PXE Boot MacBook Pro via Proxmox on ATT Router

PXE Boot MacBook Pro via Proxmox & Router: A Comprehensive Guide

In this article, we will explore the process of PXE booting a MacBook Pro, specifically a 2012 model running Big Sur, using Proxmox and a router. This method is particularly useful when the laptop's built-in screen is not functioning, but an external screen with a video signal is connected and working. By the end of this guide, you will have a solid understanding of key concepts, making it possible to successfully PXE boot your MacBook Pro.

Table of Contents

• What is PXE Booting?
• Setting Up Proxmox
• Preparing the MacBook Pro
• Configuring the Router
• PXE Booting the MacBook Pro
• Summary and References

What is PXE Booting?

PXE (Preboot Execution Environment) boot is a standard that allows a computer to boot an operating system over a network. This technology is particularly useful in scenarios where installing an operating system on multiple machines or troubleshooting a non-functioning screen is required. With PXE boot, you can use a network device, such as a router or a dedicated PXE server, to serve the boot loader to the client machine, in this case, a MacBook Pro.

Setting Up Proxmox

Proxmox is a powerful open-source virtualization platform that can also serve as a PXE server for network boot purposes. Follow these steps to set up Proxmox:

1. Download and install the latest version of Proxmox VE from the official website: Proxmox Downloads.
2. Once installed, log in to the Proxmox web interface and navigate to the "Datacenter" view.
3. Create a new virtual machine by clicking on the "Create VM" button. Select the desired options and make sure to select "Linux" as the operating system type. Ensure that the architecture is set to match your MacBook Pro's processor.

Preparing the MacBook Pro

Before attempting to PXE boot the MacBook Pro, make sure to enable the boot from network option in the Open Firmware menu:

1. Connect the MacBook Pro to the network via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
2. Reboot the MacBook Pro and immediately hold down the Command + Option + O + F keys simultaneously, which will bring up the Open Firmware menu.
3. Once in the Open Firmware menu, enter the following command:

   set boot-device network

Configuring the Router

The MacBook Pro's Open Firmware is now set up to boot from the network. However, before attempting the PXE boot, it is essential to configure the router to provide the correctly formatted DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) request with the Proxmox PXE boot information. The exact steps might vary depending on the router model. Here are general guidelines:

1. Log in to your router's web interface.
2. Find the DHCP settings and create a new reservation or static IP address. The IP address should be in the same subnet as the Proxmox server.
3. Add a boot file path of the form:

   tftp://<PROXMOX_TFTP_SERVER_IP>/pxelinux.0

PXE Booting the MacBook Pro

Now that the Proxmox server and the router are configured, the MacBook Pro can be PXE booted:

1. Reboot the MacBook Pro and ensure it is connected to the network.
2. Wait for the DHCP request to receive an IP address and the boot file path from the router.
3. Proxmox will serve the pxelinux.0 file, and the PXE boot process will initialize. You will be prompted to select the desired operating system or an installation image.

Summary and References

In this article, we discussed the process of PXE booting a MacBook Pro via Proxmox and a router. We first set up the Proxmox VE platform, preparing a virtual machine for the MacBook Pro to connect to. We then prepared the MacBook Pro by modifying Open Firmware options, allowing the system to boot from the network. We also explained configuring the router to send the correct DHCP answers with the PXE boot instructions.

• Proxmox Downloads
• Preboot Execution Environment (PXE)
• Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)