The Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) is a standardized network booting protocol that allows a client computer to boot and install an operating system over a network, without the need for a local hard drive or installation media. This can be useful for deploying OpenBSD to multiple computers over a network, as it allows you to install the operating system remotely, without the need to physically visit each computer.
To boot and install OpenBSD using PXE, you will need to set up a PXE server on your network that serves the necessary installation files and bootloader. This can be done using a server running OpenBSD, or another operating system such as Linux or Windows.
Here are the basic steps to set up a PXE server to install OpenBSD:
Install a PXE server software on your server. There are several options available, including dnsmasq, pxe, and pxelinux.
Configure the PXE server to serve the necessary installation files and bootloader for OpenBSD. This typically involves creating a boot menu and pointing it to the location of the installation files and bootloader on the server.
Configure the client computer to boot from the network. This typically involves entering the BIOS or UEFI settings of the computer and changing the boot order to prioritize the network boot option.
Boot the client computer from the network. This should cause the PXE server to send the necessary installation files and bootloader to the client computer, allowing it to boot into the OpenBSD installation process.
Follow the prompts to complete the installation process. This typically involves selecting the installation media (in this case, the network), partitioning the hard drive, and configuring the network settings of the system.
Keep in mind that the exact steps and requirements for setting up a PXE server to install OpenBSD will depend on your specific network and hardware configuration. You may need to consult the documentation of your PXE server software and the OpenBSD installation instructions for more detailed instructions.