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PXE Boot DHCP Server Requirements for Dell Client Computers Shipping after 2019

Summary: The following article provides information about reports of a Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) boot issue on the latest computers from Dell. It is an issue where the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server is sending out the older undionly.kpxe file. New computers no longer support legacy boot. This file can prevent the server from accessing the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the new Dell XPS, Latitude, OptiPlex, or Precision device. ...

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Symptoms

New Dell computers with no legacy boot option may fail to PXE boot

Dell XPS, Latitude, OptiPlex, and Precision computer owners may experience a failure to boot PXE. This may be due to configuring the DHCP server for legacy support instead of the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI). Using the traditional Legacy PXE boot:
  • The DHCP server offers the client computer undionly.kpxe.
  • In return the computer accepts it, gains an IP address, and the PXE boot begins.
  • However, the DHCP server must offer an .efi file when UEFI is the only boot option available.

Cause

This is because all Dell business computers built and shipped after 2019 offer only UEFI boot support.
 
Note: These computers are working as designed. UEFI has become the new standard, and Dell does not support legacy boot for PXE on our new computers moving forwards.

Resolution

  • Windows - The wdsmgfw.efi file should be offered instead of undionly.kpxe.
  • Linux - The ipxe.efi file should be offered instead of undionly.kpxe.

On most DHCP servers, you can eliminate the need for the server to distinguish between the UEFI and legacy by doing the following:

  1. Configure the Internet Protocol-helpers (IP-helpers) to forward the DHCP requests to all the DHCP and Windows Deployment Services (WDS) or PXE hosts.

  2. Remove any option 66 and option 67 definitions on your DHCP servers.

  3. If WDS runs on the same server as your DHCP:

    1. Mark the checkbox in WDS to not use DHCP port.

    2. Mark the checkbox to set the PXE Client DHCP option.

WDS Configuration

Figure 1: WDS Configuration

Affected Products

OptiPlex, XPS, Latitude, XPS, Fixed Workstations, Mobile Workstations, Latitude 7200 2-in-1, Latitude 3300, Latitude 5300 2-in-1, Latitude 5300, Latitude 7300, Latitude 3400, Latitude 5400, Latitude 5401, Latitude 7400 2-in-1, Latitude 7400 , Latitude 3500, Latitude 5500, Latitude 5501 ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000124383
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 21 May 2024
Version:  10
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