Introduction, Introduction: intel® boot agent user guide, Overview – Dell Intel PRO Family of Adapters User Manual
Page 2: Product contents, Operating environment

Introduction: Intel® Boot Agent User Guide
Overview
The Intel® Boot Agent is a software product that allows your networked client computer to boot using a program code image
supplied by a remote server. PC vendors can implement the Intel Boot Agent to accommodate various environments and
protocols.
Implementation Support for the Intel® Boot Agent
Multi-protocol boot ROM code designed for remote booting from Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet and 10 Gigabit Ethernet
Adapters (PXE-only), as well as
Pre-boot eXecution Environment
(PXE) Version 2.1 Specification.
Important Features Offered by the Intel® Boot Agent
Same user interface for Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet and 10 Gigabit Ethernet Adapters.
Compatible with legacy boot agent environments that use
Customizable in pre-boot, Windows*, and DOS environments.
Product Contents
When you purchase an Intel desktop adapter, the product package includes the following items related to the Boot Agent:
An Intel Boot Agent software image integrated into the server adapter's flash ROM device. It must be added and
enabled for server adapters.
A CD-ROM containing a set of DOS utilities, this online Intel Boot Agent User Guide, and a readme file.
This software and documentation as well as updates are available from
Operating Environment
The Boot Agent operates in a client/server environment. Often, in this environment, one or more servers provide remote boot
services to a large number of client computers through a common network. The computer system where the Intel Boot Agent
is loaded is considered to be a client with respect to the remote boot capability even if that system acts as a server after the
system has finished booting.
.