5. Set the BIOS/UEFI
In this section, we explain how to properly set the BIOS/UEFI of your 3Node.
If you do not want to read the whole page, make sure to read this section, which covers the basics.
Note that the BIOS mode is usually needed for older hardware while the UEFI mode is usually needed for newer hardware, when it comes to booting properly Zero-OS on your DIY 3Node.
If it doubt, start with UEFI and if it doesn't work as expected, try with BIOS.
Before diving into the BIOS/UEFI settings, we will present some general considerations on Z-OS and DHCP.
Z-OS and DHCP
The operating system running on the 3Nodes is called Zero-OS (Z-OS). When it comes to setting the proper network for your 3Node farm, you must use DHCP since Z-OS is going to request an IP from the DHCP server if there's one present, and it won't get network connectivity if there's no DHCP.
The Z-OS philosophy is to minimize configuration wherever possible, so there's nowhere to supply a static config when setting your 3Node network. Instead, the farmer is expected to provide DHCP.
While it is possible to set fixed IP addresses with the DHCP for the 3Nodes, it is recommended to avoid this and just set the DHCP normally without fixed IP addresses.
By setting DHCP in BIOS/UEFI, an IP address is automatically assigned by your router to your 3Node every time you boot it.
Regular Computer and 3Node Network Differences
For a regular computer (not a 3Node), if you want to use a static IP in a network with DHCP, you'd first turn off DHCP and then set the static IP to an IP address outside the DHCP range. That being said, with Z-OS, there's no option to turn off DHCP and there's nowhere to set a static IP, besides public config and remote management. In brief, the farmer must provide DHCP, either on a private or a public range, for the 3Node to boot.
The Essential Features of BIOS/UEFI for a 3Node
There are certain things that you should make sure are set properly on your 3Node.
As a general advice, you can Load Defaults (Settings) on your BIOS/UEFI, then make sure the options below are set properly.
- Choose the correct combination of BIOS/UEFI and bootstrap image on https://bootstrap.grid.tf/
- Newer system will use UEFI
- Older system will use BIOS
- Hint: If your 3Node boot stops at Initializing Network Devices, try the other method (BIOS or UEFI)
- Set Multi-Processor and Hyperthreading at Enabled
- Sometimes, it will be written Virtual Cores, or Logical Cores.
- Set Virtualization at Enabled
- On Intel, it is denoted as CPU virtualization and on ASUS, it is denoted as SVM.
- Make sure virtualization is enabled and look for the precise terms in your specific BIOS/UEFI.
- Set AC Recovery at Last Power State
- This will make sure your 3Node restarts after losing power momentarily.
- It can have different names depending on the hardware, e.g.
Power State After Power Loss, check the hardware docs if needed.
- Select the proper Boot Sequence for the 3Node to boot Zero-OS from your bootstrap image
- e.g., if you have a USB key as a bootstrap image, select it in Boot Sequence
- Set Server Lookup Method (or the equivalent) at DNS. Only use Static IP if you know what you are doing.
- Your router will assign a dynamic IP address to your 3Node when it connects to Internet.
- Set Client Address Method (or the equivalent) at DHCP. Only use Static IP if you know what you are doing.
- Your router will assign a dynamic IP address to your 3Node when it connects to Internet.
- Secure Boot should be left at disabled
- Enable it if you know what you are doing. Otherwise, it should be set at disabled.
- Set Network Stack and PXE at Enabled.
- Note: Network Stack is a prerequisite for PXE.
- Note: In some cases, farmers had to disable Network State for the 3Node to properly boot, but in general enabling it is needed.
BIOS/UEFI and Zero-OS Bootstrap Image Combinations
To properly boot the Zero-OS image, you can either use an image made for a BIOS system or a UEFI system, this depends on your system.
BIOS is older technology. It means Basic Input/Output System.
UEFI is newer technology. It means Unified Extensible Firmware Interface. BIOS/UEFI is, in a way, the link between the hardware and the software of your computer.
In general, setting a 3Node is similar whether it is with a BIOS or UEFI system. The important is to choose the correct combination of boot media and boot mode (BIOS/UEFI).
The bootstrap images are available here.
The choices are:
- EFI IMG - UEFI
- EFI FILE - UEFI
- iPXE - Boot from network
- ISO - BIOS
- USB - BIOS
- LKRN - Boot from network
Choices 1 and 2 are for UEFI (newer models). Choices 4 and 5 are for BIOS (newer models). Choices 3 and 6 are mainly for network boot.
Refer to this previous section for more information on creating a Zero-OS bootstrap image.