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*NEW* App for PXE Booting from Android devices.


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#1 Grif

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Posted 29 January 2013 - 01:54 AM

Some of you may be aware of my threats to release an app for Android whose primary function is to act as a PXE boot server.

 

At the risk of looking like a spammer I'm using this space to announce the introduction of "BukerPXE" to the Goggle Play market for Android.

 

The description is regurgitated here for the forum consumption:

 

 

 

BukerPXE is a lightweight TFTP, FTP, HTTP, and proxyDHCP server suitable for hosting PXE payloads from your Android powered device over your local LAN using its built in WiFi adapter.

Originally devised as a portable diagnostic toolkit capable of booting a non-functional workstation into various diagnostic environments, BukerPXE runs on your Android phone to listen for network boot requests from machines configured with PXE network boot capability. (the vast majority of computers have this available in their BIOS
options).

The client computer then boots to display a simple menu consisting of various PXE payload options which can include diagnostic utilities, bootloaders, installers etc.

BukerPXE works with your existing LAN infrastructure, the main requirement being that the client computer and the Android Wifi device be on the same LAN subnet. The client computer typically plugs into the network via Ethernet cable, and your Android device connects via WiFi. Using its built in proxyDHCP service, BukerPXE is designed to work alongside the existing router or other DHCP server without modification. This makes it easy to deploy and does not interfere with normal network traffic.

The Lite version uses the TFTP protocal only to transport the payload to the target machine. Payloads can easily be added or removed using conventional syslinux based text menus. The default Lite version comes with MemTest86 for RAM testing, NTPSSWD a password reset utility for editing/removing Windows user passwords on target Windows PC's, MHDD a hard drive testing and reporting utility, and HDT a hardware detection tool that enumerates the hardware installed on the target machine. These are included as simple examples of PXE network booting,
demonstrates compatibility with your device and existing networks, and provides some usability straight out of the box even if you decide to not define your own payloads or move up to the full version of BukerPXE.

The full version of BukerPXE allows many more larger and practical payloads as it leverages the iPXE protocol with the speed of FTP and HTTP transfers.

 

I invite all you freindly Rebooters with Android devices to visit the link below and take it for a spin.  It *DOES REQUIRE ROOT ACCESS*.  So if you haven't rooted your device yet, now you have yet another reason.   :thumbsup:   

 

Currently only the LITE version is available to the public, and it is, and shall remain free of charge.  All I ask is for constructive feedback either here, on the project Website, http://bukerpxe.com (under construction) or via the conventional Google Play store reviews.

 

Due to the massive amount of devices out there, it is impossible for us to test even a small portion of them, so we are keenly interested your experiences.  

 

Keep in mind this is my first app idea, and the first of its kind on the market EVER!!!  It is currently very simple compared to what many of you are used to, but the full version is evolving quickly, and even the LITE version is still a work in progress.   So:

 

:victory:  PLEASE BE GENTLE!!!   :victory:

 

Click HERE---->  http://goo.gl/vigAn

 

 

And THANK YOU ALL!!  For being such an inspiration, honestly.  I mean that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



#2 Brito

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Posted 29 January 2013 - 09:15 AM

Hi Grif,

 

As long as you keep the lite version as a free service to the public, you can count on my support. I am personally a big supporter of Android as well.

 

However, I don't have a rooted android phone. Is there any way to avoid the need for rooting the device?

 

:cheers:



#3 panreyes

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Posted 29 January 2013 - 10:08 AM

I'm really looking into this, will be testing it after lunch!

 

Is SAMBA to be also implemented in this app?



#4 panreyes

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Posted 29 January 2013 - 10:10 AM

I'm really looking into this, will be testing it after lunch!

 

Is SAMBA to be also implemented in this app?

 

----------

 

Err.. Does the lite version support TFTP? If so, where is its folder?



#5 Grif

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Posted 30 January 2013 - 01:39 AM

Nuno, 

 

Unfortunately, no. In order to create the services required to the app to function, we had to have the app get SU access.

 

If there were a way around this, we would have certainly tried to as root access is a barrier for some users.  However we feel that many people of the technical inclination to desire an app such as this, are also the types of people who are more likely to root their devices anyway.  But certainly it would be more convenient if root was not required.

 

 

However, I don't have a rooted android phone. Is there any way to avoid the need for rooting the device?

 

:cheers:



#6 Grif

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Posted 30 January 2013 - 01:49 AM

panreyes,

 

I thought I might hear from you in this thread!   :thumbsup: 

 

There is no built in Samba share utility in the app, no, and frankly, I havent found much of a need for one yet.

 

There are tons of applications which lend themselves to easy adaptation for use in the app, and I have yet to find one that requires specific SMB shares.  

 

Some more elaborate applications require NFS shares, and we will be adding that and a whole host of other features to the full version. (NFS, ISCSI, etc) Those are in various states of development.

 

If you have a specific application you would like to get working, I'd be happy to help!

 

Let me know how your testing goes, I really appreciate your input.   :good: 

Is SAMBA to be also implemented in this app?

 

----------

 

Err.. Does the lite version support TFTP? If so, where is its folder?



#7 GrimR3

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Posted 21 April 2013 - 10:00 AM

I just wanted to thank you for a great app. I ran out of CDs the other day and wanted to install Ubuntu. Your app worked great. I downloaded the mini.iso and used memdisk that was included with your app and it worked great. When will we see a full version?

 

for those who want to try it.
get mini.iso from (http://archive.ubunt.../images/netboot)

move it to the bukerpxelite/tftpboot directory

open the text file bukerpxelite/tftpboot/pxelinux.cfg/default and add the following lines:

LABEL Boot Iso
        MENU LABEL  ISO Boot
        kernel pxelinux.cfg/c32/memdisk
append iso raw initrd=mini.iso
TEXT HELP
                 Install Ubuntu mini.iso
                 use memdisk to load iso
ENDTEXT



#8 Grif

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Posted 24 April 2013 - 02:35 AM

You are very welcome. I'm glad you found it useful.  

 

May I ask what device you were running it on?  

 

Full version coming *SOON* , as soon as we stop adding features and squashing bugs that is.  :)  

 

 

 

I just wanted to thank you for a great app. I ran out of CDs the other day and wanted to install Ubuntu. Your app worked great. I downloaded the mini.iso and used memdisk that was included with your app and it worked great. When will we see a full version?

 

for those who want to try it.
get mini.iso from (http://archive.ubunt.../images/netboot)

move it to the bukerpxelite/tftpboot directory

open the text file bukerpxelite/tftpboot/pxelinux.cfg/default and add the following lines:

LABEL Boot Iso
        MENU LABEL  ISO Boot
        kernel pxelinux.cfg/c32/memdisk
append iso raw initrd=mini.iso
TEXT HELP
                 Install Ubuntu mini.iso
                 use memdisk to load iso
ENDTEXT



#9 GrimR3

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Posted 24 April 2013 - 02:57 AM

i have successfully run it on my nexus 7 (Wi-Fi) and  SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 (Skyrocket).



#10 saddlejib

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Posted 08 July 2013 - 08:50 PM

Nice got here via Wonko works fine on s4 Galaxy.

 Great potential !!!



#11 Motasem

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Posted 09 July 2013 - 12:14 AM

Very nice idea and new of its kind I will test on my s3 im rooted and my mobile rooted. Will report soon

#12 WildColin

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Posted 21 February 2015 - 07:12 PM

Some of you may be aware of my threats to release an app for Android whose primary function is to act as a PXE boot server.

 

At the risk of looking like a spammer I'm using this space to announce the introduction of "BukerPXE" to the Goggle Play market for Android.

 

The description is regurgitated here for the forum consumption:

 

 

 

 

I invite all you freindly Rebooters with Android devices to visit the link below and take it for a spin.  It *DOES REQUIRE ROOT ACCESS*.  So if you haven't rooted your device yet, now you have yet another reason.   :thumbsup:   

 

Currently only the LITE version is available to the public, and it is, and shall remain free of charge.  All I ask is for constructive feedback either here, on the project Website, http://bukerpxe.com (under construction) or via the conventional Google Play store reviews.

 

Due to the massive amount of devices out there, it is impossible for us to test even a small portion of them, so we are keenly interested your experiences.  

 

Keep in mind this is my first app idea, and the first of its kind on the market EVER!!!  It is currently very simple compared to what many of you are used to, but the full version is evolving quickly, and even the LITE version is still a work in progress.   So:

 

:victory:  PLEASE BE GENTLE!!!   :victory:

 

Click HERE---->  http://goo.gl/vigAn

 

 

And THANK YOU ALL!!  For being such an inspiration, honestly.  I mean that.

 

 

 

 

 

I really hate to necro a two year old thread, but I'm left with no choice.

 

This app makes reference to a "full version" that, amongst other things, "allows many more larger and practical payloads as it leverages the iPXE protocol with the speed of FTP and HTTP transfers". Unfortunately, no full version of this app has been released, the bukerpxe.com domain has expired, and this thread appears to be the only way to possibly contact the developer.

 

If the full version is not going to be released, can you at least update the LITE version so transfer speeds aren't throttled? Or release the source under the GPL? Either would be greatly appreciated.



#13 Wonko the Sane

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Posted 22 February 2015 - 12:34 PM

... and this thread appears to be the only way to possibly contact the developer.

 

You can try also via LinkedIn :unsure::

https://www.linkedin...vick/26/535/a38

 

:duff:

Wonko



#14 WildColin

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Posted 22 February 2015 - 04:52 PM

You can try also via LinkedIn :unsure::

https://www.linkedin...vick/26/535/a38

 

:duff:

Wonko

 

I can't help but notice you conveniently chose to ignore the beginning of my sentence where I said "this thread appears to be". Until now, I didn't have the OP's name.

 

More importantly, you can't actually contact anyone through LinkedIn unless you share a common connection.


Edited by WildColin, 22 February 2015 - 04:58 PM.


#15 Wonko the Sane

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Posted 22 February 2015 - 06:55 PM

Well, I actually noticed how this thread appeared (to you) "to be the only way to contact the developer" and I tried to provide you some alternative means.

For a number of reasons the forum software is a bit hectic in sending notifications for new posts in "subscribed" threads, and we don't even know if the OP has notifications turned on, and since he seems to be not that much around here, as:

Last Active Mar 29 2014 12:58 AM

 

The emoticon :unsure: (unsure) is used to convey the idea that the poster is not fully convinced that the posted information is accurate or useful, still the info is provided to try and help.

Depending on the account you have (or completely fail to have) on LinkedIn you may be able to send him an invitation or possibly even an "Inmail", however now you have something more (a name and an area of the world, taken from public sources) than what you had before.

 

I can't help but notice how this attempt to help you was not particularly appreciated. :(

 

:duff:

Wonko



#16 Brito

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Posted 22 February 2015 - 06:59 PM

Well, thanks to the finding of Wonko was possible for me to visit his profile and see that we shared a couple of common connections. From there I've got an email address that you can use. This was sent to you by personal message here on the forum.

 

:cheers:



#17 Wonko the Sane

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Posted 22 February 2015 - 07:02 PM

Well, thanks to the finding of Wonko was possible for me to visit his profile and see that we shared a couple of common connections. From there I've got an email address that you can use. This was sent to you by personal message here on the forum.

 

It's a small, small world after all ;).

 

Not even six degrees of separation :w00t::

http://en.wikipedia....s_of_separation

seemingly only two in this case...

 

:duff:

Wonko



#18 Brito

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Posted 22 February 2015 - 07:11 PM

Too small of a world sometimes. One of these connections is a person I know since many years and which now noticed he is working for Superfish. :ermm:



#19 Grif

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Posted 22 February 2015 - 07:34 PM

Hi all.  

 

It breaks my heart to see people asking for support for and access to the "full" version.

 

This was a project I started and with the help of Dave Honsvick, we completed the free version and put it out for release.  I was very ill at the time, and put the free version out just so we'd have SOMETHING created  and released before my cancer progressed to the point of hospitalization.  

 

Unfortunately, I was debilitated to the point that I could barely function at all, chemo and radiation and other medications can really f*** you up.  Six weeks in the hospital, and months at home bedridden, barely able to eat say nothing about continue the work on the project.

 

Its was my baby, and if I passed away, I wanted to leave something behind.   I do know that Dave has expanded on the full version somewhat, but to what extent I do not know.  

 

As this was a collaboration on a product that was intended to eventually be commercial, I do not feel comfortable releasing the full version or its source code without contacting Dave first.  I do know the full version is quite a bit different than the lite version with many more options and protocols, as such... if you thought you needed to be Geeky enough to use the lite version, the full version as I saw it last you'd need to SUPER geeky to use all the functions.

 

I apologize to the community for my inability to continue the project, as I'm still recovering from the treatments which have left me disabled, broke, and almost homeless.  I'm trying to get my life back together, and those things must come first.  

 

I will talk to Dave, and ask him what he wants to do.  I understand your frustration, Like I said seeing these messages in my inbox (yes I'm subscribed to the thread of course) breaks my heart.  I will do what I can to help.


Edited by Grif, 22 February 2015 - 07:35 PM.

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#20 Wonko the Sane

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Posted 22 February 2015 - 07:41 PM

I apologize to the community for my inability to continue the project, as I'm still recovering from the treatments which have left me disabled, broke, and almost homeless.  I'm trying to get my life back together, and those things must come first.  

 

I will talk to Dave, and ask him what he wants to do.  I understand your frustration, Like I said seeing these messages in my inbox (yes I'm subscribed to the thread of course) breaks my heart.  I will do what I can to help.

NO need to apologize for *anything*, we are sorry to hear about your health issues :(.

 

The only important thing is that you get well. :)

 

Go, Grif, GO! :cheerleader:  

 

:duff:

Wonko


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#21 Brito

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Posted 22 February 2015 - 08:04 PM

+1

 

Grif is now promoted to status of distinguished reboot developer.


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#22 Grif

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Posted 22 February 2015 - 09:28 PM

 

If the full version is not going to be released, can you at least update the LITE version so transfer speeds aren't throttled? Or release the source under the GPL? Either would be greatly appreciated.

 

The speed is not throttled.  The reason the full version is faster is that it can use http (and others) for file transfer instead of only TFTP.  Http is much faster.  There is no intentional "throttling" going on, its just the limits of the tftp protocol itself.



#23 WildColin

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Posted 23 February 2015 - 03:50 PM

[...]

 

Its was my baby, and if I passed away, I wanted to leave something behind.   I do know that Dave has expanded on the full version somewhat, but to what extent I do not know. 

 

[...]

 

I apologize to the community for my inability to continue the project, as I'm still recovering from the treatments which have left me disabled, broke, and almost homeless.  I'm trying to get my life back together, and those things must come first.  

 

I will talk to Dave, and ask him what he wants to do.  I understand your frustration, Like I said seeing these messages in my inbox (yes I'm subscribed to the thread of course) breaks my heart.  I will do what I can to help.

 

I was able to get in touch with Dave and he gave me a copy of the full version. I was considering posting it here, but I'll leave that decision up to the two of you. Even if you weren't able to include all of the features you planned, the fact that it supports HTTP transfers is enough to make many people want to buy the full verson. The lite version has several reviews asking where to buy the full version.

 

Frankly, hearing that you've survived cancer, I'd like to chuck both of you a monetary thanks. I can't pay for your chemo, but I can at least pay for a dinner.



#24 Grif

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Posted 24 February 2015 - 12:39 AM

joshua.buker@gmail.com   Paypal.   I can use all the help I can get.  As far as Dave goes, you prolly already have his address.  

 

Thanks WildColin, I'm glad you find our app useful. It took a couple months for me to chain the can-do's to how-to's and a few weeks for me to convince Dave of the potential.  Then a few weeks more to convince him to do it MY way.  lol   

 

Once Dave got hold of it, he ran with it.  Far beyond my original intent.  At that point he inspired me, and our ideas fed upon each others synergistically, then boom...  hospital time.  Sucks, but so be it.



#25 Grif

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Posted 08 April 2015 - 02:56 AM

We have gone donationware  Thank you all again for your support, without your braintrust this never would have happened.  I was proud enought to get the Lite version out before the Pro version before struck down by cancer.  I knew it was coming, but now Dave and I decided to release the full version as donationware.  I sure need the money for medical bills and Dave has a family of six (6!) to support.
 
Thanks for the encouragement, and may you all benefit, develop upon it and share it as you please.  Just leave a bit of beer money.  lol.  ***MUST BE ROOTED***  ***CANNOT GUARANTEE IT WIL WORK ON ALL DEVICES***.   The free version is in the Google Play store,, the full version is here http://ge.tt/4Z8Ta2E2/v/0
 
Donations kindly accepted at dchpbukerpxe@gmail.com via paypal.   
 
 
Thank you all again.
 

paypal account fixed


Edited by Grif, 11 April 2015 - 12:20 AM.





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