STK1AW32SC PXE Boot with ASIX AX88179 USB 3.0 to Giga Ethernet Adapter

[Jaybers]

So I've trawled through lots of forums and support pages but have not been able to find an answer.

I've got about a dozen STK1A32SC Compute Sticks that I wish to be able to deploy an image onto using PXE. From what I have read, I require a ASIX AX88179 USB 3.0 to Giga Ethernet Adapter and have purchased the Startech USB31000NDS - which according to the Startech website is compliant. Given the shape of the adapter, I am using a USB3 extension cable so I can still have a keyboard connected.

I cannot locate any additional settings in the BIOS to enable network booting, and pressing F12 in POST does not start network booting. I have updated the BIOS to the latest version (SCCHTAC5.86A)

Similar to what another member posted, the USB31000NDS works fine in the OS (and lights up) but does not light up in POST - I am presuming that the device is unreadable at this stage. It is the same if I remove the extension cable.

I'd appreciate if anybody has had any success with getting a STK1AW32SC (or similar) to boot with a network adapter!

[Victor_G_Intel]

Hello Jaybers,

Thank you for posting on the Intel® communities.

To better assist you, please provide the following report and information.

Intel® System Support Utility (Intel® SSU)

• Open the application and click on "Scan" to see the system and device information
• By default, Intel® SSU will take you to the "Summary View".  
• Click on the menu where it says "Summary" to change to "Detailed View".  
• To save your scan, click on "Next", then "Save".  

Note:

You can use the option under the reply window to attach the report and any other files to the thread (Drag and drop here or browse files to attach).

1. Have you tested the compute stick with any other adapter? Maybe one from our validated list.

Note:

To find the adapters tested choose the Intel® Compute Stick STK1AW32SC from the left side column, and then open the adapters and dongles section.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

Victor G.

Intel Technical Support Technician 

[Jaybers]

Hi Victor,

Thanks for your quick reply - please find the SSU scan attached (NB: MAC addresses deleted and WiFi has been disabled through BIOS for testing).

I'll try and obtain one of the validated network adapters for further testing.

Kind regards, John

[n_scott_pearson]

Where have you read all this?

I am looking at the documentation (TPS and BIOS Glossary) for the SC Compute Stick and I am seeing absolutely no mention of support for PXE boot. I also looked in the SC Compute Stick's BIOS Setup program and I can see nothing that would indicate that the BIOS includes support for PXE boot.

The information that David V. provided back in 2019 was specific to the CC Compute Sticks. AFAIK, it does not apply to the SC Compute Stick.

Sorry,

...S

[Jaybers]

Hi Scott,

I'd mostly been basing it on these threads: https://community.intel.com/t5/Intel-Makers/PXE-Boot-STK2m3W64CC/td-p/350785 and https://community.intel.com/t5/Intel-Compute-Stick/Intel-Stick-PXE-BOOT/td-p/666681 which are admittedly for different models.

Kind regards, John.

[n_scott_pearson]

Yes, those are both about the CC Compute Sticks. I checked the BIOS Setup parameters in both the m3 and m5 CC Compute Sticks and indeed found the parameters for PXE enablement. A check of the BIOS Setup parameters for the SC and FC Compute Sticks yielded no such parameters.

BTW, if you do have a CC Compute Stick and want to PXE  boot is, here are links for a bunch of the compatible USB  adapters that include the ASIX AX88179 controller: 

LAN with 3-port Hub:

https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Ethernet-1000Mbps-Nintendo-Chromebook/dp/B00LLUEJFU

Only LAN:

https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Ethernet-Aluminum-Converter-Nintendo-dp-B07MK6DJ6M/dp/B07MK6DJ6M

https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Network-Ethernet-Supports-Nintendo/dp/B00MYTSN18

https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Ethernet-Gigabit-10-100-1000-Compatible/dp/B00AQM8586

https://www.amazon.com/Ethernet-Adapter-Morelecs-Nintendo-Compatible/dp/B08FWRS69S

https://www.amazon.com/Giveet-Adapter-Nintendo-MacBook-Chromebook/dp/B07JPXY5Z7

https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Ethernet-Aluminum-Converter-Nintendo/dp/B07MK6DJ6M

https://www.amazon.com/Ethernet-Techkey-10-6-10-15-Supports-Chromebook/dp/B07XT9C77K

Hope this helps (somebody),

...S

[Victor_G_Intel · Accepted solution]

Hello Jaybers,

Thank you for posting on the Intel® communities.

Based on our internal research, we need to inform you that back in the day when those threads that your reviewed were recent, customers were able to use the solution provided there involving a USB 3.0 to Giga Ethernet Adapter in order to get PXE boot to work; however, we determined that the solution provided there only works on those specific models of compute sticks, specifically the Cedar City models; consequently, the Sterling City model that you have; although, compatible with an adapter like that won’t support the PXE boot option since is not included in its configuration.

Regards,

Victor G.

Intel Technical Support Technician  

[Jaybers]

Hi Victor (and Scott),

Thanks for looking into that for me - a bit of a shame that it was taken out of the BIOS configuration for the SC models but at least it's not too hard to make a bootable image on a USB.

Kind regards, John