DHCP + PXE problem

[Seamus1966]

Hi,

I'm trying to flash some HP/Compaq thinclients via Altiris and have found that they do not receive any IP address when performing a PXE boot. If connecting other devices such as desktop or laptops to the same point and using the same cable as for a thin-client, these devices work fine i.e. the receive an IP address and can connect to the Altiris server.

Additionally, if I connect an unmanaged network hub between the Cisco switch and the thin-clients then they can receive an IP address and connect to the Altiris server.

The Cisco switches used are a combination of 4003 and 4006 models, Port Fast is enabled on the Cisco Switches as is STP.

If another switch brand is used, the whole thing works without putting a network hub between the thin-clients and switch.

Any idea why this happens..?

Regards,

[ehirsel]

I am thinking your issue may be due to autonegotiation not working properly between the thin clients and the cisco switch ports. Are the cat ports set to use an explicit speed and duplex setting? If not, hardcode those values and let me know what happens.

[djbradley]

Also check that SpanningTree Portfast has been enabled on the ports. Your thin clients may be booting faster that a PC and requesting an address before the port goes into fowarding state. The hub would fix because the port is already in fowarding state when connected to the hub.

[Seamus1966]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the thoughts - portfast was on the right track, but I had to disable channel and trunking as well on the ports where the thin-clients are directly connected to the Cisco switch. This was all done using 'set port host' as described in Document #10553 'Using PortFast and Other Commands to Fix Workstation Startup Connectivity Delays'

I'm now happily connecting to Altiris PXE server :)

Regards,