ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Preboot Execution Environment

Imagine you have a computer and you want to install a new operating system on it. In order to do this, you need to start the computer using something called a bootable device, such as a CD or a USB drive.

Now let’s say you have a lot of computers and you need to install the same operating system on all of them one by one. That’s a lot of work! But what if there was a way to install the operating system on all of them at the same time without having to touch each computer?

Enter the Preboot Execution Environment (PXE). PXE is a way of starting a computer over a network, rather than from a bootable device like a CD or USB drive.

Here’s how it works:

First, the computer needs to be set up to use PXE. This means enabling PXE in the computer’s BIOS settings.

Next, a server is set up on the network to provide the operating system image and any other software needed for installation.

When the computer starts up, it sends out a message to the network looking for a PXE server. The server responds with instructions on what to do next.

The computer then starts downloading the operating system image from the server, which can take some time depending on the size of the image and the speed of the network. Once the image is downloaded, the computer starts the installation process automatically, without the need for manual intervention.

In summary, PXE is a way of starting a computer over a network, rather than from a bootable device like a CD or USB drive. It allows for the automated installation of operating systems and other software on multiple computers at the same time, saving time and effort.