bootparam - Linux

Overview

bootparam is a network management tool that retrieves and sets boot parameters for diskless, network-booted clients. It is commonly used by network administrators to manage and configure client systems remotely.

Syntax

bootparam [-a] [-c client_address] [-f bootfile] [-s server_address] [-t type]

Options/Flags

  • -a: Display all known clients.
  • -c client_address: Specify the IP address or hostname of the client to query or configure.
  • -f bootfile: Specify the bootfile to be loaded by the client.
  • -s server_address: Specify the IP address or hostname of the bootparam server to contact.
  • -t type: Specify the client type to configure. Valid types include "sun4c", "sun4m", "sun386i", and "unknown". Default: unknown

Examples

Retrieve boot parameters for a client:

bootparam -c client1

Set boot parameters for a client:

bootparam -c client1 -f bootfile.xyz -t sun4c

Display all known clients:

bootparam -a

Common Issues

  • Client not found: Ensure that the client is connected to the network and configured with the correct bootparam server address.

  • Invalid bootfile: Verify that the specified bootfile exists on the bootparam server and is accessible by the client.

  • Type mismatch: Check that the specified client type matches the actual client hardware architecture.

Integration

bootparam can be used in conjunction with other network management tools, such as dhcp and tftp. For example, it can be used to provide boot parameters to diskless clients that are configured via DHCP.

Related Commands

  • dhcpd – Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server
  • tftp – Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) server