HP 840 g7 Network PXE over WiFi

[Vish_g]

Hi All

As a business we have purchased the new HP 840 G7. This unit no longer has an ethernet port, and what surprised me is from the network (PXE) boot menu, there is an entry to boot "UEFI N/W - Wi-Fi- ipv4 Network" and one for IPv6. 

How do I  use this functionality on this machine, as when I select the option I would have expected it to ask me to connect to a WiFi Network, all it does is take me back to the Startup Menu. 

I understand how PXE works, as that's how we have imaged our 840 G3/G4/G5/G6 units which I have previously used this was always done over ethernet, as it never gave the option to pxe from WiFi. On this G7 unit, if I use an adapter and connect an ethernet, I am give additional options to boot from LAN which works, but I want to test the WiFi pxe, to avoid the use of an adapter. 

I called Support who had no idea on why this is being shown, as like myself they are only aware of this working from LAN booting. Hopefully someone can shed some light on this, as this maybe new functionality which is just not common knowledge. 

[Vish_g]

Attaching a photo of the options to give more clarity 

Without any adapters connected

With a ethernet cable connected to an adaptor

  

[IT_WinSec]

Hello,

Is your BIOS/UEFI updated ? Latest version ?

If not, try updating it >> https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp108501-109000/sp108762.exe

If you still face the issue even after updating the BIOS, please contact HP Support again and ask your case to be escalated to next level support. The support team will be able to check and simulate your issue, and fix it.

[Vish_g]

Hi

Thanks for the response. I have the latest BIOS/UEFI version 01.01.07 for this unit, but still no joy. 

I will attempt to contact HP again, as the last person I spoke to was not very helpful. 

[Collinjklein]

Hello,

Just checking to see if you've heard back from HP about this issue? We just got new 450 g's that also give the option to pxe boot and am wondering if it is possible.

[Vish_g]

Hi 

I still have a support ticket open. Unfortunatly nobody seems to know why the option is shown, or are only aware of it working over ethernet. Still probing HP as if its not supported why is this shown, as makes no sense to show this if this is not supported. Surely someone at HP knows the answer. 

You may have better luck than I have had with HP support, but will update further once I get more feedback. 

[Vish_g]

Further update, I can now get the unit to Start PXE over IPv4 after selecting the option, however unable to test end to end at the moment, as wont be back in the office for a few weeks where I have my PXE setup configured for use.

The instructions I got are as follows, however need to do a few things a little differently:

• Power on the unit and keep taping the F3 key
• In there you will find 3rd party option rom management
• Please Enable WIFI, once done please save and exit ( I found I had to connect to WiFi first, and then set this to connect automatically
• Then you would need to restart the unit again but this time keep tapping F12 key
• In there select the option "PXE over WIFI"
• It will now allow you to select WIFI network or enter IP address. (This never showed up but got to the screen where it "Start PXE over IPv4"). 

This looks more promising, but cannot fully verify until I'm at the office. Feel free to test and report back if this works for you