README

gPXE README File

gPXE is an implementation of the PXE specification for network
booting, with extensions to allow additional features such as booting
via HTTP, iSCSI, and AoE.  

In generally, gPXE is compatible with the industry-standard PXE
specification, and also supports Etherboot .nbi file loading and some
additional protocols and features.

For more detailed information about gPXE, please visit our project
website at: http://etherboot.org/

BUILDING gPXE IMAGE FROM SOURCE

If you don't want to install development tools, and have access to the
Web, you can get gPXE and Etherboot ROM images made on demand from
http://rom-o-matic.net/

If you would like to compile gPXE images from source, here are some tips.

We normally compile gPXE images on x86, 32-bit Linux machines. It is
possible to also use x86-64 machines. We use gcc compiler options to
create 32-bit output.

It is important to have the necessary software  packages installed.  A gcc-based
toolchain is required.

The following packages (at least) are required:

  - a gcc tool chain (gcc 3.x or gcc 4.x)
  - binutils
  - perl
  - syslinux
  - mtools
  
To test your environment, cd to the "src" directory and type:

   make

You should see a lot of output, and when it stops, the "bin" directory
should be populated with gPXE images and object files.

To learn more about what to build and how to use gPXE, please visit our
project website at http://etherboot.org/ , particularly the "howto" section.

CONTACTING US

Pointers to our project mailing lists are on http://etherboot.org/

Real-time help is often available on IRC on the #etherboot channel of
irc.freenode.net.