Nabootsend

Nabootsend is a term used in computing to describe a method or workflow for delivering bootable images to a client machine over a network, typically to support bare-metal provisioning and remote installations. It is not a single standardized protocol and may refer to a family of scripts, tools, or configurations that perform network-based boot image transmission and execution.

In practice, nabootsend workflows involve a server that hosts bootloader configurations and kernel/initrd images, along with a client-side boot ROM or firmware capable of performing a network boot. The transmission can be done using protocols common to network booting, such as TFTP, HTTP, or iSCSI, often with support for chunked transfer, verification via checksums or digital signatures, and possibly encryption for security.

Implementations vary. Some nabootsend setups emphasize streaming or progressive loading of boot components, enabling fewer round-trips and faster provisioning. Others focus on integration with configuration management or orchestration platforms to automate host provisioning and deployment of operating systems, with hooks to install OS images post-boot.

Because nabootsend is not a formal standard, there is no universal specification or official documentation. It is primarily encountered in informal discussions, project documentation, or as a descriptive label for network-based boot workflows within particular environments. Related topics include PXE, iPXE, TFTP, and HTTP boot, which provide the underlying concepts and protocols commonly used in nabootsend-like provisioning.