netboot.xyz is a network-based system management platform that enables automated operating system deployment and remote system maintenance. By leveraging iPXE and standard network protocols like DHCP and TFTP, it provides a centralized infrastructure for booting installers and utility tools directly over a local network. The system is designed to facilitate unattended installations and live environment execution, allowing users to manage hardware without the need for physical installation media.
The project distinguishes itself through a highly flexible, template-driven approach to boot menu management. Users can define custom installation options and integrate their own boot configurations without modifying the core source code. It supports cross-platform UEFI booting and includes mechanisms for chainloading signed kernels, ensuring compatibility with modern firmware and secure boot requirements. The platform also offers advanced capabilities such as local asset mirroring to reduce bandwidth dependency and containerized build pipelines to automate the generation of consistent boot environments.
Beyond its core deployment functions, the platform covers a broad range of infrastructure and diagnostic tasks. It supports multi-architecture environments, virtual machine network booting, and remote hardware control for interaction at the firmware level. The system includes tools for monitoring boot activity, testing experimental configurations, and managing persistent boot settings across diverse hardware setups.
The project is distributed as a containerized service, allowing for deployment on standard web servers to host boot assets and menu configurations.
