# Introduction

The Intel® Boot Agent is a software product that allows your networked client computer to boot using a program code image supplied by a remote server. PC vendors can implement the Intel Boot Agent to accommodate various environments and protocols.

Implementation Support for the Boot Agent:

- Multi-protocol boot ROM code designed for remote booting from Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet Adapters, as well as LOM implementations

- Complies with the Pre-boot eXecution Environment (PXE) Version 2.1 Specification

- Some versions of the Boot Agent also include support for Remote Program Load (RPL) runtime and loader software

Important Features Offered by the Intel Boot Agent:

- Same user interface for Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet Adapters

- Compliant with the Wired for Management Baseline (WfM) 2.0 specification

- Compatible with legacy boot agent environments that use BOOTP protocol

- Customizable in pre-boot, Windows*, and DOS environments

## Product Contents

When you purchase an Intel WfM-compatible adapter, the product package includes the following items related to the Boot Agent:

- A Boot Agent software image integrated into the adapter's flash ROM device

- A CD-ROM containing a set of DOS utilities, this online Intel® Boot Agent User's Guide, and a readme file

Intel may occasionally provide Boot Agent software updates. A Boot Agent software update package consists of:

- A Boot Agent software image that can be loaded onto your client network adapter's flash ROM device

- A CD-ROM containing a set of DOS utilities, this online Intel Boot Agent User's Guide, and a readme file

This software and documentation as well as updates are available by visiting the Intel Customer Support website.

## Operating Environment

The Boot Agent operates in a client/server environment. Often, in this environment, one or more servers provide remote boot services to a large number of client computers through a common network. The computer system where the Intel Boot Agent is loaded is considered to be a client with respect to the remote boot capability even if that system acts as a server after the system has finished booting.

## Remote Boot-related Resources

An extensive list of hardware and software manufacturers provide products that support remote boot technology, conforming either to the Wired for Management (WfM) specifications or the PXE/RPL/BOOTP/DHCP protocols. These products are compatible with the Intel Boot Agent and include operating systems and servers, in addition to other boot-related products. For a listing of boot-related products of which Intel is currently aware, perform the following steps:

1. Access Intel Customer Support's website.

2. Click the Search button.

3. Enter Boot Agent as your search string, and indicate that you want to search through all types of documents.

4. Click Intel(R) Boot Agent - Top Technical Issues to select the Boot Agent Home page.

5. Under the General Information section, click Where can I find out about other remote boot resources?

6. Select the desired links for the remote boot-related resources of your choice.

## Compatible Flash ROM Devices

For a list of flash ROM devices that are compatible with the Intel Boot Agent, perform the following steps:

1. Access Intel Customer Support's website.

2. Click the Search button.

3. Enter Boot Agent as your search string, and indicate that you want to search through all types of documents.

4. Click Intel(R) Boot Agent - Top Technical Issues to select the Boot Agent Home page.

5. Under the General Information section, click How do I get a Boot ROM for the Intel® PRO/100B or PRO/100+ adapters that only come with a socket?

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