Instructions for installing Kali Linux via Network PXE

Starting and installing Potassium over the Internet (PXE) can be useful from installing a single laptop without a CD-ROM or USB port until deploying a business that supports Kali installation.

PXE Server setup

First, we need to install dnsmasq to provide DHCP / TFTP server and then edit the dnsmasq.conf file.

 apt-get install dnsmasq 
 nano /etc/dnsmasq.conf 

In dnsmasq.conf, enable DHCP, TFTP and PXE startup, as well as set dhcp scope to suit your environment. If necessary, you can also define your port and DNS server by indicating the dhcp-option as shown below:

 interface = eth0 
 dhcp-range = 192.168.101.100,192.168.101.200.12h 
 dhcp-boot = pxelinux.0 
 enable-tftp 
 tftp-root = / tftpboot / 
 dhcp-option = 3.192.168.101.1 
 dhcp-option = 6.8.8.8.8.8.8.4.4 

With on-site edits, the dnsmasq service needs to be restarted for the changes to take effect.

 restart dnsmasq service 

Download Kali PXE Netboot Image

Now, we need to create a folder to store Kali Netboot Image and download the image we want from the Kali repo.

 mkdir -p / tftpboot 
 cd / tftpboot 
 # for 64 bit systems: 
 wget http://repo.kali.org/kali/dists/kali-rolling/main/installer-amd64/current/images/netboot/netboot.tar.gz 
 # for 32 bit systems: 
 wget http://repo.kali.org/kali/dists/kali-rolling/main/installer-i386/current/images/netboot/netboot.tar.gz 
 tar zxpf netboot.tar.gz 
 rm netboot.tar.gz 

Configure the target to boot from the network

Everything has been configured, now you can boot the target system and configure it to boot from the network. It will get the IP address from the PXE server and start Kali.

See more:

1. How to create customized Potassium ISO
2. How to install Kali Linux on your computer
3. How to install Kali Linux dual boot Windows