DHCP option 43 on a Linux DHCP server (Error - PXE-E55)
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DHCP option 43 on a Linux DHCP server (Error - PXE-E55)

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Article ID: 158468

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Updated On:

Products

Deployment Solution

Issue/Introduction

Setting up option 43 on a Linux DHCP server using the hexadecimal string generated by Forced mode utility will not work.

Error- PXE-E55

Forced mode utility will generate a hexadecimal string using the following format (Which is ok for Windows DHCP servers) 

option vendor-encapsulated-options   -  24AC1141131273756e646863702d
 

If we use this format when setting up option 43 on a Linux DHCP server, it will not work.   The value of this option has to be set 
up using a text string colon-separated list of hexadecimal values.  
  Example:  

       option vendor-encapsulated-options      -    12:73:75:6e:64:68:63:70:2d:73:65:72:76:65:72:31:37:2d:31
          

Cause

The cause of this issue is just that if you are using a Linux Based DCHP server you need to be careful as the format varies from Windows Based DHCP server.

Resolution

The value for option 43 on a Unix/Linux DHCP server has to be set using a text string colon-separated list of hexadecimal values.  
  Example:  

       option vendor-encapsulated-options      -    12:73:75:6e:64:68:63:70:2d:73:65:72:76:65:72:31:37:2d:31
 

Option 43 value can be generated using the Forced mode utility ( please see link below ), forced mode utility has to be run on the PXE server, as it is going to generate an hexadecimal value with the "vendor specific information", once you have generated the hexadecimal value, modify it adding colons as in the example above.

Forced mode utility http://www.symantec.com/docs/HOWTO5258


Applies To

Deployment Solution 6.9 all versions

Deployment Solution 7.1 all versions

Deployment Solution 7.5 all versions