# Client Computer Hardware Installation

Before you install the Boot Agent, make sure the client computer's hardware is installed properly. To do this, make sure that a compatible network adapter is installed and the Boot Agent software image resides within the network adapter's flash ROM. The following topics guide you through the hardware installation process:

- Setup for a Known Configuration

- Identifying the Client Computer Configuration

- Flash ROM and Intel WfM-compatible Adapters

- Installing Flash ROM Upgrades

## Setup for a Known Configuration

If you have an Intel WfM-compatible adapter (such as the Intel® PRO/100 S Desktop Adapter or the Intel® PRO/1000 T Desktop Adapter) installed in your client computer, the flash ROM device is already available in your adapter, and no further installation steps are necessary. However, you may still wish to configure the Boot Agent software. To do so, see Intel® Boot Agent Tools Installation Suite.

| NOTE: For Intel server adapters, the flash ROM can be enabled using IBAUtil.

If you do not have an Intel WfM-compatible adapter installed on your client computer, check the hardware configuration of your client computer. You can use the hardware configuration information to determine proper installation through the steps indicated in the Boot Agent Installation Procedures table below.

### Boot Agent Installation Procedures

#### Client Computer Hardware Configuration | #### Perform These Steps:
--- | ---
A 10/100 adapter is installed in client computer, but no flash ROM device is installed (or the flash ROM is smaller than 64 KB) | Remove the adapter. The adapter documentation gives removal/installation instructions. Install a 64 KB (or larger) flash ROM device containing a Boot Agent software image. See Installing Flash ROM Upgrades for installation instructions. Reinstall the adapter. The adapter documentation gives removal/installation instructions.
Client computer motherboard incorporates compatible LAN on motherboard (LOM) hardware | Follow the motherboard manufacturer's update instructions to install the BIOS code that incorporates the Boot Agent software. Alternatively, if the motherboard has a separate ROM socket that accepts a 64 KB (or larger) flash ROM device containing a Boot Agent software image, see Installing Flash ROM Upgrades for installation instructions. Contact the motherboard manufacturer to get the code that must be loaded into the flash ROM in this case.

## Identifying the Client Computer Configuration

To determine the hardware configuration of your client computer without removing its cover:

1. Examine the back panel of the computer to determine if there is a network adapter already installed. The following figure shows the back panel of a typical computer, and indicates the areas you should examine:

2. As shown in the figure, the network connector is an RJ-45 connector. If there is a network connector in the back panel cluster only, it is possible that the computer motherboard incorporates compatible LAN on motherboard (LOM) hardware. Contact the motherboard manufacturer to verify this information. If your motherboard is equipped with LOM hardware, perform either of the following:

> 1. Follow the motherboard manufacturer's instructions to check if your computer's BIOS already handles Boot Agent capability. Otherwise, ask your manufacturer for a new BIOS upgrade for your system.

> 2. Alternatively, if the motherboard has a separate ROM socket that accepts a 64 KB (or larger) flash ROM device containing a Boot Agent software image, see Installing Flash ROM Upgrades for installation instructions. Contact the motherboard manufacturer to get the code that must be loaded into the flash ROM in this case.

3. If there is no network connector at the back of your computer, you must install a network adapter and possibly a flash ROM device on the adapter. Refer to the installation procedures for the adapter for any setup requirements; then follow the procedures in Installing Flash ROM Upgrades before installing the adapter.

4. If there is a network connector in one of the add-in board slots, there might be a compatible network adapter already installed in the computer. Perform the following substeps to identify all compatible network adapters already installed in your computer:

> 1. Boot your computer to DOS (a DOS Command Prompt window will not work).

> 2. From the drive or directory containing the Boot Agent software, type IBAUTIL and then press Enter.

> If there is no flash ROM device installed, IBAUtil displays the following type of information:

> === | ================= | ====== | ===== | ============ | ================== | ==== | ====
> NIC | Network Address | Series | WOL | Boot Agent | FLASH Memory | Size | Valid
> === | ================= | ====== | ===== | ============ | ================== | ==== | ====
> 1 | xxxxxxxxxxxx | xxxx | No | x.x.xx | Unknown [8282] | 1024 | Yes

> | NOTE: If the flash ROM device installed in the adapter ROM socket is not large enough (64 KB or larger), IBAUtil returns a message stating that the flash is too small, and does not allow you to proceed.

> At this time, (assuming there is a large enough flash device installed) IBAUtil will prompt you to update the flash ROM.

> 3. Update the flash ROM. See Installing/Updating in DOS Environments for instructions.

> 4. If there is no flash device installed, or if the installed flash device is too small, see Installing Flash ROM Upgrades for instructions.

## Flash ROM and Intel WfM-compatible Adapters

All Intel Wired for Management-compatible (WfM-compatible) adapters are equipped with an integrated flash ROM device. The Boot Agent software image is pre-programmed into the flash ROM device at the factory; therefore, no software installation is required.

In some cases, however, such as when upgrading to a newer software version, you may need to update flash ROM with a new Boot Agent software image. For information about installing or updating flash ROM with a new Boot Agent software image, select the desired environment below:

- DOS

- Windows

In the event that you wish to install flash ROM in an adapter that has an empty socket, see Compatible Flash ROM Devices for instructions to access a list of flash ROM devices that are compatible with the Intel® Boot Agent.

## Installing Flash ROM Upgrades

If your adapter is not equipped with an integrated flash ROM device, install a flash ROM device in your adapter.

| NOTE: Adding Flash ROM or using motherboard supplied Flash ROM is applicable only to 10/100 adapters.

To install a flash ROM device:

1. Turn off and unplug your computer. Then, remove its cover.

   | CAUTION: Turn off and unplug the computer before removing the computer cover. Failure to do so could endanger you and might damage the adapter or computer. Observe appropriate static electricity handling precautions when working with components, adapters, and the computer.

2. Identify the adapter and the adapter slot in which it is installed. Then, remove the adapter bracket screw.

3. Remove the adapter and move it to an area free of static electricity. The following figure shows how to install the flash ROM device in the socket:

4. Refer to the figure and install the flash ROM device in the socket of the adapter. Note the location of the notched corner of the flash ROM device and the corresponding notch in the socket. There is only one correct orientation for the flash ROM device.

5. Reinstall the adapter in the slot from which you removed it. If you are installing the adapter for the first time, follow the adapter installation instructions and install it in an appropriate PCI expansion slot (refer to the following figure).

6. Push the adapter into the slot until the adapter is firmly seated. Then, secure the adapter bracket with a screw.

7. Replace the computer cover and plug in the power cord.

8. Turn on the power. The computer BIOS will automatically assign resources to the adapter. If you get a configuration error, see the troubleshooting instructions in the adapter's installation guide.

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