| Developer(s) | iPXE project |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 1.21.1[1]
/ December 31, 2020 |
| Repository | |
| Written in | C |
| Type | Boot loader |
| License | GPLv2+ |
| Website | ipxe |
iPXE is an open-source implementation of the Preboot eXecution Environment (PXE) client software and bootloader, created in 2010 as a fork of gPXE (gPXE was named Etherboot until 2008).[2] It can be used to enable computers without built-in PXE capability to boot from the network, or to provide additional features beyond what built-in PXE provides.
While standard PXE clients use only TFTP to load parameters and programs from the server, iPXE client software can use additional protocols, including HTTP, iSCSI, ATA over Ethernet (AoE), and Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE). Also, on certain hardware, iPXE client software can use a Wi-Fi link, as opposed to the wired connection required by the PXE standard.
The iPXE client is a superset of, and can replace or supplement, prior PXE implementations.
iPXE is the official replacement for gPXE. It has every feature of gPXE, and users can seamlessly upgrade from gPXE to iPXE.[2]
- ^ "Tags". GitHub. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
- ^ a b ipxe.org - iPXE FAQs, 2011-12-02