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PXE Versions
There have been two versions of PXE, the older 0.9x, and the current 2.00. (There never was an official version 1, although sometimes the 0.9x version is referred to as version 1). The WfM version 1.0 specification released in 1997 contained PXE version 0.9x. Version 2.0 of the specification, released in 1999, contained PXE 2.0. The last release of 0.99 was build n. As of March, 2001, the current release of 2.00 is build 82.
Argon's PXE-enabled boot ROM is called Managed PC Boot Agent (MBA). In addition to PXE, MBA also supports legacy network boot protocols, RPL and NetWare. MBA also adds some value-add features when PXE is being used.
Argon offers a disk-based version of PXE as well. This is mainly used in situations where the client PC or the NIC does not have PXE. Except for the fact that
it's a bootable floppy or CD, this version works just like the boot ROM (however, some configurable options are not available). There are several advantages to using the disk, even when PXE is currently installed in the system:
- It supports additional network adapters not supported by a boot ROM, like the legacy 3C509 ISA NIC, the 3CXFEM656C LAN CardBus PC Cards, and the 3C460x USB Ethernet adapter
- It supports the 3Com 3CCFE575CT LAN CardBus PC Card in notebooks that have BIOSs that
don't enable the CardBus. (Some PC BIOSs do not enable the CardBus until the OS is loaded, which prevents the PC Card from being accessible in a pre-OS environment.)
- It supports network booting of notebook clients (via the CardBus or USB Ethernet adapter)
- Because the single disk supports most Network Interface Card (NIC) you
don't need a different disk for client PC s that have a variety of
NIC's
- It overcomes the problem of switching to a newer PXE version when the boot ROM
isn't easily updated (as in the case where the PXE is integrated into the
PC's BIOS)
- There's no need to change NIC or BIOS settings to perform a network boot
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