BOOTPlike

BOOTPlike is a term used to describe network boot implementations that emulate the Bootstrap Protocol (BOOTP) to obtain configuration and boot instructions during system startup. It is not a formal standard, but a descriptive label for firmware and software that perform IP address assignment and convey a boot file location in a BOOTP-compatible way.

Historically, BOOTP defined a simple client–server protocol for diskless workstations, allowing a client to obtain an IP address, next server, and boot filename. Over time, DHCP extended BOOTP with richer options; many BOOTPlike systems today rely on DHCP or PXE while preserving BOOTP-compatible behavior. BOOTPlike mechanisms are commonly used in environments that require unattended booting of networked devices, such as diskless workstations, embedded systems, thin clients, and firmware update scenarios. A typical BOOTPlike flow involves a client broadcasting a boot request, receiving a lease with an IP address and a boot file name or server information, and then loading the kernel or firmware image via a secondary transfer protocol such as TFTP.

In practice, several widely used network boot technologies are described as BOOTP-like due to their heritage and interoperability. PXE, for example, relies on DHCP-style contention and uses TFTP to fetch boot files, achieving a BOOTP-like boot process. Open-source boot loaders such as iPXE and gPXE can operate in BOOTP-like mode or in full DHCP mode, depending on configuration.

See also: BOOTP, DHCP, DHCPv6, PXE, TFTP, iPXE.