Acronis Backup for Windows Server Essentials - User Guide - Manual (Page 261)

261 Copyright © Acronis International GmbH, 2002-2014
9.6 Acronis PXE Server
Acronis PXE Server allows for booting machines to Acronis bootable components through the
network.
Network booting:

eliminates the need to have a technician onsite to install the bootable media into the system that
must be booted

during group operations, reduces the time required for booting multiple machines as compared
to using physical bootable media.
Bootable components are uploaded to Acronis PXE Server using Acronis Bootable Media Builder. To
upload bootable components, start the Bootable Media Builder (either from the management
console, by selecting Tools > Create bootable media or as a separate component) and follow the
step-by-step instructions described in the "Bootable Media Builder (p. 250)" section.
Booting multiple machines from the Acronis PXE Server makes sense if there is a Dynamic Host
Control Protocol (DHCP) server on your network. Then the network interfaces of the booted
machines will automatically obtain IP addresses.
Limitation:
Acronis PXE Server does not support UEFI boot loader.
9.6.1 Acronis PXE Server Installation
To install Acronis PXE Server
1. Run the Acronis Backup Advanced setup program.
2. Click Install Acronis Backup.
3. Accept the terms of the license agreement.
4. Select the I want to manually select the Acronis components… check box.
5. In the components tree, under Other components, select the PXE Server check box.
6. Follow the onscreen instructions.
Acronis PXE Server runs as a service immediately after installation. Later on it will automatically
launch at each system restart. You can stop and start Acronis PXE Server in the same way as other
Windows services.
9.6.2 Setting up a machine to boot from PXE
For bare metal, it is enough that the machine’s BIOS supports network booting.