How do I convince Dell blades to PXE Boot

It sounds like you might have an L3 switch in the mix that needs DHCP Forwarding configured on it.


MDMarra was closest with the suggestion of a L3 switch.

I actually solved this just now (20:20 GMT) by:

  1. Resetting the switch to factory defaults.
  2. Double-checking the cables to the fibre core switch and the patch panel.
  3. Swapping the SFP port on the Core Switch
  4. Swapping the SFP port on the Dell Blade Switch (Why this matters is beyond me, unless there's a duff port).
  5. Testing everything one more time.

Maybe you haven't enable portfast, or the Dell equivalent on the switch?