Multiple Boot Servers
If there are multiple servers that support boot and installation on a subnet (sysrdp and hpignite), these systems are very likely to interfere with each other. This is common when systems running different operating systems coexist on the same subnet and network installation is used to manage these systems.
Network boot and installation servers are typically designed with the assumption that they are the only such server on the subnet. Product documentation generally does not include details on how to have multiple servers coexist.
Note that PXE has been designed to assume multiple boot servers provide redundant, identical functionality. The first server to respond to a boot request will be used for system boot. In general, it is not possible to predict which server will respond first.
Often, an administrator wants separate boot and installation servers to provide, for example, different operating systems. In this case, using the correct server is important. As a result, some means of selecting the correct boot and installation server is vital. There is not a simple solution using basic DHCP PXE functionality.
Great care is required to properly set up a network configuration where there are multiple boot servers on a subnet. Each boot server must be configured to correctly coexist with other boot servers and support the desired overall administration solution.
Avoiding Complex Network Issues
The purpose of this section is to provide solutions that avoid the inherent issues in a complex network configuration by modifying the network topology or using boot techniques that avoid boot protocol issues.
Avoiding Complex Network Issues 49