"DHCP...." followed by "PXE-E11: ARP timeout"

SYMPTOM

When being started, the PXE client comes up with the PXE copyright message and completes the DHCP phase, but then displays:

PXE-E11: ARP timeout

Depending on the PXE client's system setup boot device list configuration, the PC then either stops or tries to boot from the next boot device in the system setup boot device list.

CAUSE

The "PXE-E11" error indicates that the PXE client was not able to resolve the TFTP or proxyDHCP server's IP address into the corresponding MAC address via the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP). Possible causes for this problem are:

1. The target system does not respond to ARP requests
2. Between the PXE client and TFTP / proxyDHCP server is a router that does not respond to ARP requests
3. The DHCP Class Identifier Option #60 is set although DHCP and proxyDHCP services are installed on different machines.

RESOLUTION

Make sure that the TFTP and/or proxyDHCP servers respond to ARP requests, and that routers (if present) respond properly to ARP requests. When using a proxyDHCP server, make sure that DHCP Option #60 is only set when the DHCP and proxyDHCP services are located on different machines.

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