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Titolo
iPXE Error - "no configuration methods succeeded" -
Descrizione
When attempting to network-boot a device via iPXE, the process halts at the message: “No configuration methods succeeded”. The device then falls back to the next boot option or loops indefinitely.
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Causa
iPXE prints this message when it cannot finish its automatic network-configuration step (usually DHCP) before the built-in timeout expires. In the captured logs, the NIC momentarily resets while iPXE takes control; during that brief reset, the switch port drops the link and re-enables spanning-tree processing. Because the port is not running a “fast-start” mode (PortFast, Edge, or fast-STP), it spends several seconds in a blocking state, so iPXE’s DHCP request times out and the
040ee1error appears.In summary, the network itself is healthy, but the NIC card or USB dongle is too slow to forward traffic after the tiny link-flap that occurs during chain-boot.
Current Scenario (Field Observation)
The issue occurs even with previously known-good USB–NIC dongles and docking stations. Reverting BIOS firmware has no impact, confirming the root cause is external to the workstation hardware. -
Risoluzione
Important – How to Use These Workarounds
Follow the options in order. Only move to the next option if the current one does not fix the issue:- Option 1 → Option 2 → Option 3 → Option 4.
- Option 2 is meant only if Option 1 fails.
- Option 3 should be tried if Option 2 does not resolve the issue.
- Option 4 is the last alternative, to be used if Option 3 also fails.
1 Permanent Fix (Recommended)
- Enable a fast-start spanning-tree setting (PortFast, Edge, or vendor-equivalent) on the access-switch ports used for PXE booting.
2 Firmware / BIOS Checks
- Ensure BIOS/UEFI settings do not disable PXE DMA or place the NIC in aggressive power-save modes.
3 iPXE Binary with Delay
- Serve a 10-second-delay iPXE binary to give the switch time to transition to the forwarding state:
10secdelay/undionly.kpxe(BIOS/legacy)10secdelay/ipxe.efi(UEFI)
4 Offline / USB Alternatives
- In the KACE SDA, navigate to Deployments › Boot Environments, open the required KBE, and click Download bootable ISO for this Boot Environment.
- Flash the ISO to a USB drive with Rufus or Balena Etcher, then boot the device from USB.
or
- Consider a full USB offline deployment if network-boot is not viable.
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Informazioni aggiuntive
Internal Reference: K2-7271