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I need to force a ProLiant DL380 G7 server to PXE boot from a non-default (not Port 1) NIC.

So far I was unsuccessful in finding out how to do this, or if it's even possible.

I will be very grateful for any suggestions!

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Why? Can't you just plug the PXE network into Port 1? – Chris S♦ Aug 13 '12 at 12:53
Which server model is this? The solution for a Gen8 blade is different than a ML350 or a DL380p... – ewwhite Aug 13 '12 at 12:57
@ChrisS: I can't, since the server is thousands of miles away. – Joe Chip Aug 13 '12 at 13:01
@ewwhite: I amended my original question to specify the server model – Joe Chip Aug 13 '12 at 13:26
@JoeChip Oh! G7. That's easier... See my updated answer. – ewwhite Aug 13 '12 at 13:37

1 Answer

up vote 3 down vote accepted

On G7 and earlier servers, this can be changed in the BIOS. This assumes onboard interfaces.

(I hope you have ILO access)

Press F9 during POST to get into the system BIOS menu (ROM-Based Setup Utility).

enter image description here

Follow the menus from System Options > Embedded NICs > NIC X Boot Options.
Select the NIC you wish to boot from, and flip the Network Boot flag.

enter image description here

You'll need a power cycle to make that change effective.

Edit:
This is also available from the host OS (assuming the server is already running and has one). 

[root@Tantalalicious ~]# hpasmcli 
HP management CLI for Linux (v2.0)
Copyright 2008 Hewlett-Packard Development Group, L.P.

hpasmcli> help enable pxe
USAGE: ENABLE PXE [ NIC1 | NIC2 | NIC3 | NIC4 ]: Enables PXE support on the embedded NICs.
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It's the exact same on the Dell PE servers that I work with. – mfinni Aug 13 '12 at 12:59
1  
Although, on the HPs, can't you make a bunch of BIOS-level changes from the HP utilities, from the OS? Might not even need iLo. – mfinni Aug 13 '12 at 13:38
1  
@mfinni updated, but I'm assuming this is for initial OS installation... maybe? – ewwhite Aug 13 '12 at 13:43
Thanks, this is exactly what I needed. – Joe Chip Aug 13 '12 at 14:12
And yes, it's an initial OS installation. – Joe Chip Aug 13 '12 at 14:13
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