Advantages

Why choose PxeLab?

Docs: Product Overview | Features | Architecture

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1. Single Binary, Zero Dependencies

Traditional PXE solutions require installing and configuring DHCP, TFTP, HTTP, DNS, NFS and other services separately, each with its own config files, dependencies, and management approach.

PxeLab packages everything into a single executable:

# Download one file, run it
./pxelab

# No extra dependencies
# No multi-service config
# No multiple tools to learn

Benefits:

• Deployment time reduced from hours to seconds
• No dependency conflicts
• Consistent cross-platform experience (Windows / Linux / macOS)
• Upgrade by replacing one file

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2. Full Architecture Coverage

Supports 11 CPU architectures, far exceeding similar tools:

Category	Supported Architectures
x86	BIOS (legacy), EFI x86-64
ARM	ARM64 (EFI), ARM (EFI)
Other	EFI IA32, EFI x86-64 Compressed, EFI BC, EFI ARM64, EFI ARM64 HTTP, EFI x86-64 HTTP, EFI ARM64 TFTP
Secure Boot	x86_64 + ARM64 secure boot

Practical Impact:

• One PxeLab instance covers all server architectures in a data center
• No need to maintain separate PXE servers for different architectures
• Secure Boot support for modern server security requirements

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3. Built-in iPXE, No External Compilation

iPXE is a powerful network boot firmware, but traditionally requires self-compilation.

PxeLab includes pre-compiled iPXE:

• Pre-compiled iPXE binaries for all 11 architectures
• Embedded boot scripts, ready to use
• Custom script replacement supported
• Version management and diff comparison

# No need to compile iPXE separately
# No need to maintain iPXE source
# Manage boot scripts via Web UI

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4. Modern Web Management Interface

Say goodbye to command-line config files:

Feature	Description
React 19 SPA	Modern frontend framework, responsive
Dark/Light Theme	Adapts to different environments
Bilingual	Chinese and English support
Real-time Monitoring	SSE event stream, auto-refresh
REST API	Supports automation and integration

Management Capabilities:

• Dashboard: global overview, service status, traffic charts
• Host management: CRUD, grouping, profile binding
• Boot config: profile management, script versioning
• OS catalog: built-in distros, custom groups
• Hardware: WOL, BMC/IPMI control
• Operations: logs, audit, diagnostics

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5. Flexible DHCP Modes

4 DHCP modes for various network environments:

Mode	Description	Use Case
full	Full DHCP server	Standalone networks
proxy	ProxyDHCP overlay	Existing DHCP servers
hybrid	Hybrid mode	Partial PXE needed
off	DHCP disabled	TFTP/HTTP only

Key Features:

• Per-network-interface configuration
• Whitelist and access control
• Subnet address pool management
• IP reservations

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6. Ready-to-Use NFS

Built-in NFSv3 server, no external dependencies:

# config.yaml
nfs:
  enabled: true
  mountpoints:
    - path: /data/installs
      allowed_ips:
        - 192.168.1.0/24

Benefits:

• Tight integration with PXE services
• IP-based access control
• Multiple mount point support
• Connection tracking and monitoring

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Summary

Advantage	Traditional Solution	PxeLab
Setup complexity	High (multi-service)	Low (single binary)
Architecture support	Limited	11 archs + Secure Boot
iPXE	Self-compile	Built-in
Management UI	CLI / complex Web	Modern Web UI
DHCP flexibility	Limited	4 modes
NFS	External dependency	Built-in
Cross-platform	Usually Linux only	Windows/Linux/macOS