Can I install Windows on a diskless system with iSCSI?

Solution 1:

No need to reflash your firmware or pay for a software solution, especially if you need to boot only one computer. The solution is: gPXE + iSCSI initiator plus some cooking. Most of what you need to do is explained here: http://www.etherboot.org/wiki/sanboot This works for Windows XP to 7 and for Server OSes too.

Solution 2:

You can reflash your NIC's firmware with iPXE, which will allow you to boot directly from your iSCSI target.

I prefer to use the chainloading method as I'm not sure if VMware ESXi will play nicely with the NICs reflashed and the dual-NICs I have are too expensive to mess around with.