macmini2012 in pxe not booting

[juju4]

Describe the bug

Trying to do automated install on a Macmini6.1 following https://wiki.fogproject.org/wiki/index.php/FOG_on_a_MAC

• Macmini6.1
  • FOG ipxe binary (https://svn.code.sf.net/p/freeghost/code/trunk/packages/tftp/; 1.0.0+ 356f): Could not open net1: Input/output error (https://ipxe.org/1d6a4698), fallback manual mode No such file or directory (http://ipxe.org/2d12608e)`
  • with https://github.com/pojntfx/ipxe-binaries (1.21.1+ g8fc11): froze at initialising devices after Features line
  • with broadcom binaries (https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/280113/updated-64bit-ipxeefi-ipxe-v1211+-binari.html; 1.21.1+ g0f308): initialising devices ok, froze after Features at Configuring dhcp...
• beelink ser8 for reference test
  • FOG ipxe binary (1.0.0+ 356f): `Configuring (net0 xxx)... No configuration methods succeeded (https://ipxe.org/040ee186)
  • with https://github.com/pojntfx/ipxe-binaries (1.21.1+ g8fc11): Configuring (net0 xxx)... ok tftp://:69/config.ipxe...
  • with broadcom binaries (https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/280113/updated-64bit-ipxeefi-ipxe-v1211+-binari.html; 1.21.1+ g0f308): Configuring (net0 xxx)... ok Next server xxx Routes: xxx http://xxx/Altiris/iPXE/GetPxeScript.aspx configured for Altiris only

Any plan for updated ipxe binaries that works with mac?
Can you confirm that mac patches were added to upstream ipxe?
Does the above wiki page need a refresh?

Thanks

To Reproduce
Steps to reproduce the behavior:

1. set tftp and dhcp for PXE following wiki
2. try with one of above ipxe and mac model
3. validate if can initiate a boot sequence
4. See error

Expected behavior
Get the pxe boot menu allowing to start network install

Screenshots
If applicable, add screenshots to help explain your problem.

Software (please complete the following information):

• N/A
• just ipxe part as per version abovve

[George1422]

You did not happen to mention the version of FOG you are using, but I would first start out by rebuilding ipxe to get the latest version from the iPXE project. https://forums.fogproject.org/topic/15826/updating-compiling-the-latest-version-of-ipxe

The latest version should be in the 1.21.0+ range. The latest release is 24db39f

To answer your questions

1. Any plan for updated ipxe binaries that works with mac?
   The iPXE binaries are supported by a different open source project than the FOG Project. We depend on the iPXE folks to support pxe booting on unique hardware. If they support pxe booting on mac minis then by default fog will at least get to the iPXE menu.

2. Can you confirm that mac patches were added to upstream ipxe?
   That would be a question for the iPXE folks.

3. Does the above wiki page need a refresh?
   Probably yes, but we rely on community members to help give direction since the developers don't have access to every bit of hardware FOG supports. If there are better instructions you see, please provide the guidance if you can.

Another option would be to bypass pxe booting and boot into FOS Linux directly from a USB drive. You will lose some features of FOG , but imaging will work. I don't know the mac series, but if your mac has the T2 chip there is a custom FOS kernel with the patches for the T2 security chip that has worked in the past.

[juju4]

Thanks @George1422
I said N/A for FOG because it is not used currently. I have a working dhcp/tftp setup to do pxe with bios/uefi pc and just followed guidance of the FOG wiki to add mac. The matching ipxe binary is from FOG project or seems to be (pointing on https://svn.code.sf.net/p/freeghost/code/trunk/packages/tftp/). I also have automated install from usb key for mac (custom debian installer). just trying to get pxe works and not have to use usb key.

On 2, it does not seem so
https://github.com/search?q=repo%3Aipxe%2Fipxe%20Macmini6&type=code returns nothing
There is this commit ipxe/ipxe@aa4b038 from 2016 so not matching the "timeline" of the FOG wiki mentioning 2014. but maybe. 2 closed PR.

On 3, yes but first make it work :)

And no T2, this is a macmini2012 aka Intel. well before T2

[George1422]

FWIW: SVN is no longer updated by the Developers, they now only use github. A current version of iPXE compiled by the fog developers is here: https://github.com/FOGProject/fogproject/tree/stable/packages/tftp

[juju4]

Thanks. will give it a try!

[juju4]

I tried the latest github ipxe.efi binary on my macmini2012 and it does not work.
stay on "iPXE initialising devices..." for 3-4min and back to local boot. iPXE 1.21.1+ (g5de5d)
from tftpd logs, it only accessed ipxe.efi file.

For above wiki page, I would recommend to put a warning that it is outdated/not supported/not test with Apple silicons either. still add a link to current ipxe binaries repository.

[darksidemilk]

We no longer update the wiki, we're trying to move to a more collaborative markdown based site over at https://docs.fogproject.org

I made an issue for this over on that repo. I'm not sure we've migrated that page yet. I'm on my phone so it's an empty issue, feel free to comment details, I'm hoping it auto links so what you've already noted can be referenced. You're also more than welcome to make a markdown doc and pull request this information in the docs repo, especially if you find a way to get it working.

FOGProject/fog-docs#24 (comment)