What is network boot?

[Roblox487]

Hello Tom's hardware community

I was just wondering what network boot is. Is it like an OS what all computers on network can boot from? Thanks for any help!

 

[RealBeast]

It is a boot for computers from a network drive, rather than local drive. Most computers support it and it is common in large corporate environments.

 

[Roblox487]

So its a hard drive that all computers on network use? I'm not sure I get it.

 

[RealBeast]

What's not to get -- there is a network drive somewhere that has a standardized boot image that all network machines boot from rather than from a local drive; here is a tutorial that has some details: http://www.devshed.com/c/a/Administration/Network-Booting-via-PXE-the-Basics/

 

[Roblox487]

Best answer selected by Roblox487.