How do I implement PXE with Synology NAS?
How do I implement PXE with Synology NAS?
Purpose
Equipped with TFTP support and Synology's service, Synology NAS serves as an integral part of your Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) setup. With PXE, client devices can boot over the network using network bootstrap programs stored on your Synology NAS, instead of booting up with operating systems stored on local storage.
This article guides you through the steps of enabling TFTP service and setting up PXE with your Synology NAS.
Resolution
In the sections below, we'll take a look at two ways Synology NAS can help you implement PXE
- If you have an existing DHCP server and would like to provide TFTP service with your Synology NAS, you can refer to Setting up PXE with TFTP service on Synology NAS and an external DHCP server.
- If you would like to provide both TFTP and DHCP service with a single Synology NAS, please refer to Setting up DHCP services and implementing PXE on one Synology NAS.
Setting up PXE with TFTP service on Synology NAS and an external DHCP server
Important: If you have any questions or issues related to your external DHCP server, please contact your server’s device manual or corresponding support system.
Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) is a simple file transfer protocol, which is often used to transfer network bootstrap programs to PXE client devices. Enabling TFTP service on your Synology NAS allows it to transfer network bootstrap programs to client devices. When combined with your existing DHCP server, client devices will be able to obtain and boot up using the network bootstrap program stored on your Synology NAS. Figure 1 below illustrates the role of each device in this type of PXE setup.
Figure 1 illustrates the three devices which are essential for this type of PXE setup.
- The DHCP server provides the client device with the IP address of the TFTP server and network bootstrap program information (e.g., file path, etc).
- The TFTP server (i.e., your Synology NAS) transfers the network bootstrap program to the client device via TFTP.
- The client device boots up using the network bootstrap program.
- Go to Main Menu > Control Panel > File Service and select the TFTP tab.
- Tick Enable TFTP service.
- In the TFTP root folder section, select the folder where you stored the network bootstrap program and any other files required for booting up your client device.
- Click Apply to save the settings.
- Log into your DHCP server and finish setting up the appropriate network settings. (Alternatively, you may also refer to the section below to set up DHCP services on your Synology NAS and complete PXE on one Synology NAS.)
- Power on your client device. You will now be able to boot it up using PXE.
- Go to Main Menu > Control Panel > File Service and select the Advanced tab.
- Tick Enable TFTP service.
- In the TFTP root folder section, select the folder where you stored the network bootstrap program and any other files required for booting up your client device.
- Click Apply to save the settings.
- Log into your DHCP server and finish setting up the appropriate network settings. (Alternatively, you may also refer to the section below to set up DHCP services on your Synology NAS and complete PXE on one Synology NAS.)
- Power on your client device. You will now be able to boot it up using PXE.
Setting up DHCP services and implementing PXE on one Synology NAS
If you wish to provide both TFTP and DHCP service with your Synology NAS, you can set up Synology's DHCP services from Control Panel. When running DHCP services, the necessary services for PXE can be provided by one Synology NAS, thus simplifying your environment. Figure 2 illustrates the role of each device in this type of PXE setup.
Figure 2 illustrates the role of each device to when running DHCP services and implementing PXE on one Synology NAS.
- The TFTP + DHCP service (i.e., your Synology NAS) provides the client device with the network bootstrap program information (e.g., file path, etc).
- The client device boots up using the network bootstrap program.
- Go to Main Menu > Control Panel > File Service and select the TFTP tab.
- Tick Enable TFTP service.
- In the TFTP root folder section, select the folder where you stored the network bootstrap program and any other files required for booting up your client device.
- Click Apply to save the settings.
- Go to Main Menu > Control Panel > DHCP Server and select the PXE tab.
- Tick Enable PXE (Pre-boot Execution Environment).
- Select whether your TFTP server is in a same local network.
- In the Boot loader section, select your network bootstrap program stored in the TFTP root folder you specified above.
- Power on your client device. You will now be able to boot it up using PXE.
- Go to Main Menu > Control Panel > File Service and select the Advanced tab.
- Tick Enable TFTP service.
- In the TFTP root folder section, select the folder where you stored the network bootstrap program and any other files required for booting up your client device.
- Click Apply to save the settings.
- Go to Package Center and download DHCP Server.
- Go to DHCP Server > PXE and tick Enable PXE (Pre-boot Execution Environment).
- Select whether your TFTP server is in a same local network.
- In the Boot loader section, select your network bootstrap program stored in the TFTP root folder you specified above.
- Power on your client device. You will now be able to boot it up using PXE.