Wondering how to resolve Acronis PXE boot error? We can help you.

PXE (Preboot eXecution Environment) is a way to load a computer by means of network.

Here at Bobcares, we handle requests from our customers to fix similar errors as a part of our Server Management Services.

Today we will see how our Support Engineers fix this for our customers.

Acronis PXE boot error

Today, let us discuss about the Acronis boot process steps and resolution for it’s error.

The boot process consists of several stages:

• Firstly, the PXE client sends a DHCP DISCOVER with the PXE options filled in.
• The DHCP server responds with a DHCP OFFER with TCP/IP parameters.
• PXE client replies with a DHCP REQUEST
• The DHCP server responds with a DHCP ACK.
• If the DHCP server is also the PXE server, the DHCP ACK usually has the TFTP server name and boot file name.
• If the PXE server is a different system, there is a separate exchange of requests and replies between the PXE server and the PXE client following the initial DHCP process
• Loader jumps to loaded image and execution started.

You can observe the booting process by capturing data transfer.

Open Wireshark on machine with Acronis PXE and start capturing.

BIOS broadcasts DHCPDISCOVER over the network (255.255.255.255) with PXE specific options included: MAC address of the current network controller, IP address of the machine (always 0.0.0.0)

As you can see, boot agent requested DHCP lease and client’s mac address is 00:50:56:ae:00:18.

If there is no DHCP broadcast detected on server – please check that broadcast is enabled in firewall and on switch/router hardware.

Ports 68 and 67 also should opened.

Successful DHCP offer is on the picture. You can see that IP address, Next server (PXE server) and image file name is provided.

Please note, that successful DHCP Offer not always goes after request.

Check all DHCP offers until you find the successful one, where all field are filled in.

After client received IP address of PXE server and filename, it has to download it in order to run. It starts from read request.

How to resolve Acronis PXE boot error?

Typical error will look as shown below:

Let us see the steps followed by our Support Techs in order to resolve the error.

If you use RIS/WDS server with Acronis components uploaded:

• Firstly, check logs at C:\Program Files\Microsoft Configuration Manager\Logs\PXEsetup.log to verify that the role is installed successfully.
• Then, update the PXE distribution points for the boot images now that the new role is installed.

If you use Acronis PXE Server:

• Check that PXE server is turned on.
• When the PXE service is running on a different machine than the DHCP or BOOTP service, you need to add option 066 (next-server) to the DHCP/BOOTP server configuration and set this option’s value to the IP address or hostname of the TFTP server.
• When option 066 (next-server) is not defined, the PXE client assumes that the TFTP service is running on the same machine from which it received its DHCP/BOOTP configuration information.

If you use RIS/WDS server with Acronis components uploaded:

• For Windows 2008R2 and higher: set HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\WDSServer\Parameters to 0 and reboot.
• For Windows 2008: In the navigation pane of the Windows Deployment Services MMC snap-in, expand the list of servers.

Right-click the server for Windows Deployment Services, and then click Properties.

Under Network, increase the UDP Port range. For example, if the current port range is 3,000 ports, increase the port range to 4,000 ports.

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Conclusion

In short, today we discussed about the Acronis boot process steps and how to resolve boot error.