PxeLab
pxelab.com
What it is
PxeLab is an open-source PXE network boot platform that combines DHCP, TFTP, HTTP, DNS, and NFS in one binary. It runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS in server or desktop modes, with management available through a web interface, REST API, or command line. For provisioning, it offers a catalog of more than 64 Linux distributions, ISO uploads, an image library, answer-file templates, and install-task tracking. Its templates cover unattended installation workflows including autoinstall, preseed, kickstart, and autounattend. Boot profiles can use direct kernel, chain, WDS, sanboot, or local disk options, with rollback and host or group bindings. Host management includes inventory, scheduled Wake-on-LAN, BMC/IPMI power control, and CSV import. PxeLab also provides audit logs, live log streams, Prometheus metrics, MAC-based access control, and NFS IP/CIDR allowlists with read-only exports. Secure Boot is supported for UEFI x64 and ARM64. The software is licensed under AGPL-3.0. The Getting Started guide says deb and rpm packages, Homebrew, and Docker images remain on the roadmap.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- PxeLab is an all-in-one PXE network boot server with DHCP, TFTP, HTTP, DNS, and NFS managed through a web UI.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pxelab.com
- Product
- PxeLab is an all-in-one PXE network boot platform that bundles DHCP, TFTP, HTTP, DNS, and NFS in a single binary.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pxelab.com
- Intended users
- The site identifies IT operations engineers, data center engineers, system administrators, Dev and QA teams, and education and training as intended users.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pxelab.com
- Deployment
- PxeLab runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS, with server and desktop app modes.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pxelab.com
- Integrations
- The product lists iPXE, PXELinux, GRUB2, WDS emulation, iSCSI sanboot, and BMC/IPMI among its boot and operations capabilities.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pxelab.com
- License
- PxeLab is open source under the AGPL-3.0 license.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pxelab.com
- Access controls
- The product supports MAC whitelist and blacklist access control, and its built-in NFSv3 server supports IP/CIDR whitelists and read-only exports.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pxelab.com
- API and control
- The site says every management operation is covered by a REST API, and the product can also be managed through its web UI or CLI.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pxelab.com
- API security
- Local API requests need no authentication by default; remote access uses a configured Bearer token.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pxelab.com
- Architecture support
- The site says PxeLab can boot 11 client architectures and automatically select the boot file.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pxelab.com
- Automated installs
- The built-in catalog covers 64+ distributions and includes autoinstall, preseed, kickstart, and autounattend answer-file templates.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pxelab.com
- Availability limit
- The Getting Started guide says deb and rpm packages, Homebrew, and Docker images are on the roadmap and are not yet available.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pxelab.com
- Boot profiles
- Boot profiles can use direct kernel, chain, WDS, sanboot, or local disk options, with diffs, rollback, and host or group bindings.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pxelab.com
- Boot services
- Built-in services include DHCP server, proxy, and off modes, TFTP, DNS forwarding, and an NFSv3 server.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pxelab.com
- Boot support
- PxeLab supports 10 client CPU architectures and Secure Boot for x86-64 and ARM64.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pxelab.com
- Host management
- Host inventory supports MAC/IP grouping, scheduled Wake-on-LAN, BMC/IPMI power control, and CSV bulk import.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pxelab.com
- Host operations
- Host tools include inventory, scheduled Wake-on-LAN, BMC/IPMI power control, and CSV bulk import.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pxelab.com
- Management
- The services can be managed through a web UI, REST API, or command line.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pxelab.com
- Monitoring
- PxeLab provides real-time log streams, configuration audit logs, and a Prometheus metrics endpoint.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pxelab.com
- OS deployment
- It supports ISO uploads, an OS image library, answer-file templates, and install task tracking.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pxelab.com
- Provisioning
- The product includes a catalog of 64+ Linux distributions, answer-file templates, and install task tracking.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pxelab.com
- Secure Boot
- Secure Boot is supported for UEFI x64 and UEFI ARM64 architectures.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pxelab.com
- Security and operations
- Listed controls and observability features include NFS IP/CIDR whitelists, MAC whitelist/blacklist access control, audit logs, SSE log streams, and Prometheus metrics.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pxelab.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Combines five network services in one binary
- Runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS
- Catalog covers more than 64 Linux distributions
- Supports Secure Boot for UEFI x64 and ARM64
- Provides REST API and command-line management
Limits
- deb and rpm packages are on the roadmap
- Homebrew and Docker images are not yet available
- Local API requests need no authentication by default
Who it suits
PxeLab suits IT operations and data center engineers, system administrators, development and test teams, and education or training users managing network boot and provisioning. Its host tools and API may also suit teams automating deployments.
Verdict
PxeLab brings network boot services, provisioning, host operations, and monitoring into a single open-source platform. Its documented deployment options are broad, but several packaging methods remain unavailable.
Where Specifiction places it
- OS Imaging & Deployment Software#14 of 247.4
- OS Deployment Software#17 of 297.4
- Bare Metal Provisioning Software#21 of 287.4