v0.6.1: latest iPXE + automatic NIC driver fallback (more devices, zero toggle)

Mirrors the worthwhile device-support wins from iVentoy 1.0.24→1.0.35 onto our
(very different) proxy-DHCP + iPXE-chainload architecture. iVentoy's other
changes are inapplicable (arm64-server / distro-display fixes live in its
injected Linux, which we don't have), niche (iSCSI), or closed-source
(Matrix Boot).

iPXE refreshed (mirrors 1.0.35 "Update iPXE")
- Pin the from-source build to ipxe/ipxe master @ 2026-06-09
  (95ffbf4745553e8a207922389929e1943c0237c0) — newer NIC drivers + EFI fixes.
  The pin also busts the cached ipxe-build Docker layer so the release
  actually recompiles iPXE; build-ipxe.sh now shallow-fetches an exact SHA.

Automatic NIC driver fallback (mirrors 1.0.34 "driver/boot-file mode" — but
no operator toggle, per request)
- New DriverMode {Firmware, Builtin} in core; ClientArch::ipxe_bootfile_mode
  maps each arch to either the firmware-net build (snponly/undionly, default)
  or the all-drivers build (ipxe.efi/ipxe.pxe/ipxe-i386.efi/ipxe-arm64.efi).
- The DHCP proxy serves Firmware by default — byte-for-byte unchanged, so
  hardware that boots today never regresses. A new DriverEscalation state
  machine watches for the tell-tale failure: a MAC re-PXE-boots (fresh
  firmware DISCOVER) without ever completing the iPXE-user-class handoff that
  proves the firmware NIC stack worked. That MAC is automatically escalated to
  iPXE's own NIC drivers, and the choice is sticky after a confirmed handoff
  (debounced for the :67/:4011 same-boot pair, TTL-pruned, capped). It just
  works — no settings, no UI.
- All-drivers binaries fetched per arch (ipxe.pxe + i386/arm64 native EFI;
  x86_64 ipxe.efi already built from source with PNG); ipxe-assets embeds
  *.pxe and logs availability per (arch, mode).

Core principles intact: DHCP-proxy-only, container-first, Rust-focused (the
logic is all Rust; only the iPXE fetch/build stays shell), Windows hard-rules
untouched (this never goes near Windows boot).

Validation: clippy clean; full workspace test suite green (core 99 incl. new
DriverMode tests, dhcp-proxy +4 escalation tests, http-api 31+68, iso-store
61, tftp 6, bin 2); fmt-clean.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 (1M context) <[email protected]>

Cargo.lock

@@ -2669,7 +2669,7 @@ checksum = "c08d65885ee38876c4f86fa503fb49d7b507c2b62552df7c70b2fce627e06381"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "openpxe"
-version = "0.6.0"
+version = "0.6.1"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "axum",
@@ -2691,7 +2691,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "openpxe-core"
-version = "0.6.0"
+version = "0.6.1"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "base64",
@@ -2718,12 +2718,13 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "openpxe-dhcp-proxy"
-version = "0.6.0"
+version = "0.6.1"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "bytes",
  "dhcproto",
  "openpxe-core",
+ "parking_lot",
  "socket2 0.5.10",
  "thiserror 2.0.18",
  "tokio",
@@ -2732,7 +2733,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "openpxe-http-api"
-version = "0.6.0"
+version = "0.6.1"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "axum",
@@ -2768,7 +2769,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "openpxe-ipxe-assets"
-version = "0.6.0"
+version = "0.6.1"
 dependencies = [
  "openpxe-core",
  "rust-embed",
@@ -2778,7 +2779,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "openpxe-iso-store"
-version = "0.6.0"
+version = "0.6.1"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "bcrypt",
@@ -2807,7 +2808,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "openpxe-tftp"
-version = "0.6.0"
+version = "0.6.1"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "bytes",
@@ -2821,7 +2822,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "openpxe-webui"
-version = "0.6.0"
+version = "0.6.1"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "p256"

Cargo.toml

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ members = [
 ]
 
 [workspace.package]
-version = "0.6.0"
+version = "0.6.1"
 edition = "2021"
 rust-version = "1.95"
 license = "MIT OR Apache-2.0"

README.md

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 </p>
 
 <p align="center">
-  <img alt="release"   src="https://img.shields.io/badge/release-v0.5.8-2874d7" />
+  <img alt="release"   src="https://img.shields.io/badge/release-v0.6.0-2874d7" />
   <img alt="license"   src="https://img.shields.io/badge/license-MIT%20%7C%20Apache--2.0-59824f" />
   <img alt="rust"      src="https://img.shields.io/badge/built%20with-Rust-fb8841?logo=rust&logoColor=white" />
   <img alt="container" src="https://img.shields.io/badge/container--native-OCI%20%C2%B7%20OpenShift-2496ED?logo=docker&logoColor=white" />
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ Upload `.iso` files (or point at a remote share), and any machine on the network
 them — Linux installers, live tools, or stock Windows setup — with **zero iPXE knowledge
 required by the operator.**
 
-> **Status — v0.5.5, late pre-beta.** The full PXE stack, web UI, remote ISO libraries
+> **Status — v0.6.0, late pre-beta.** The full PXE stack, web UI, remote ISO libraries
 > (SMB/NFS/SFTP), Windows deployment, queued fleet rollout, SAML SSO, and Prometheus
 > metrics are implemented and test-covered. The release checklist gates every tag on the
 > full test suite + `clippy`. Currently in real-hardware validation.

crates/core/src/arch.rs

@@ -23,6 +23,25 @@ pub enum ClientArch {
     Unknown(u16),
 }
 
+/// Which iPXE network backend to advertise to a client (v0.6.1).
+///
+/// OpenPXE serves [`DriverMode::Firmware`] first (the firmware's own NIC
+/// stack, via `snponly`/`undionly`) and only escalates a specific MAC to
+/// [`DriverMode::Builtin`] (iPXE's bundled NIC drivers) automatically, when a
+/// firmware-net boot fails to chainload. There is no operator toggle — the
+/// DHCP proxy decides per client.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, Hash, Default, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+#[serde(rename_all = "snake_case")]
+pub enum DriverMode {
+    /// Reuse the firmware UNDI/SNP NIC stack (`snponly.efi`, `undionly.kpxe`).
+    /// Default, smallest, most reliable for chainloading.
+    #[default]
+    Firmware,
+    /// iPXE's own bundled NIC drivers (`ipxe.efi`, `ipxe.pxe`). Fallback for
+    /// hardware whose firmware NIC stack is missing or buggy.
+    Builtin,
+}
+
 impl ClientArch {
     #[must_use]
     pub fn from_option_93(value: u16) -> Self {
@@ -39,18 +58,47 @@ impl ClientArch {
     /// Default iPXE binary filename to return via TFTP for this architecture.
     /// Uses `snponly` variants which reuse the firmware's UNDI/SNP network
     /// stack — smaller binaries and broader hardware compatibility than the
-    /// all-drivers-included `ipxe.efi`.
+    /// all-drivers-included `ipxe.efi`. Equivalent to
+    /// [`Self::ipxe_bootfile_mode`] with [`DriverMode::Firmware`]; kept as a
+    /// convenience for the common firmware-net path.
     #[must_use]
     pub fn ipxe_bootfile(self) -> Option<&'static str> {
-        Some(match self {
+        self.ipxe_bootfile_mode(DriverMode::Firmware)
-            Self::LegacyX86 => "undionly.kpxe",
+    }
-            Self::Ia32Uefi => "snponly-i386.efi",
+
-            Self::X64Uefi => "snponly.efi",
+    /// iPXE binary filename for this architecture under a given network
-            // ARM32 UEFI: upstream boot.ipxe.org does not publish a prebuilt
+    /// [`DriverMode`].
-            // snponly variant for this arch. We return None so the DHCP
+    ///
-            // proxy declines rather than advertising a file we can't serve.
+    /// * [`DriverMode::Firmware`] — the `snponly`/`undionly` builds that reuse
-            Self::Arm32Uefi | Self::Unknown(_) => return None,
+    ///   the firmware's UNDI/SNP NIC stack. Smallest, and the most reliable
-            Self::Arm64Uefi => "snponly-arm64.efi",
+    ///   choice for chainloading because the firmware just proved its network
+    ///   works by downloading the NBP. This is the default first attempt.
+    /// * [`DriverMode::Builtin`] — the all-drivers `ipxe.efi`/`ipxe.pxe`
+    ///   builds that carry iPXE's *own* NIC drivers. The automatic fallback
+    ///   for clients whose firmware NIC stack is missing or buggy (v0.6.1):
+    ///   the DHCP proxy escalates a MAC to this mode when a firmware-net boot
+    ///   never completes the iPXE handoff. iPXE still includes the `snp`
+    ///   driver here too, so it degrades gracefully.
+    #[must_use]
+    pub fn ipxe_bootfile_mode(self, mode: DriverMode) -> Option<&'static str> {
+        Some(match (self, mode) {
+            // Legacy x86 BIOS: UNDI (firmware) vs full native-driver build.
+            (Self::LegacyX86, DriverMode::Firmware) => "undionly.kpxe",
+            (Self::LegacyX86, DriverMode::Builtin) => "ipxe.pxe",
+            // IA32 UEFI.
+            (Self::Ia32Uefi, DriverMode::Firmware) => "snponly-i386.efi",
+            (Self::Ia32Uefi, DriverMode::Builtin) => "ipxe-i386.efi",
+            // x86_64 UEFI — the overwhelmingly common modern client.
+            (Self::X64Uefi, DriverMode::Firmware) => "snponly.efi",
+            (Self::X64Uefi, DriverMode::Builtin) => "ipxe.efi",
+            // ARM64 UEFI.
+            (Self::Arm64Uefi, DriverMode::Firmware) => "snponly-arm64.efi",
+            (Self::Arm64Uefi, DriverMode::Builtin) => "ipxe-arm64.efi",
+            // ARM32 UEFI: upstream boot.ipxe.org publishes no prebuilt binary
+            // for this arch in either mode. Unknown arches likewise. Return
+            // None so the DHCP proxy declines rather than advertising a file
+            // we can't serve.
+            (Self::Arm32Uefi | Self::Unknown(_), _) => return None,
         })
     }
 
@@ -133,6 +181,58 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(ClientArch::Unknown(0xFFFF).ipxe_bootfile(), None);
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn bootfile_default_is_firmware_mode() {
+        // The convenience method must equal the explicit Firmware mode.
+        for a in [
+            ClientArch::LegacyX86,
+            ClientArch::Ia32Uefi,
+            ClientArch::X64Uefi,
+            ClientArch::Arm64Uefi,
+            ClientArch::Arm32Uefi,
+            ClientArch::Unknown(0x99),
+        ] {
+            assert_eq!(
+                a.ipxe_bootfile(),
+                a.ipxe_bootfile_mode(DriverMode::Firmware)
+            );
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn builtin_mode_maps_to_all_drivers_binaries() {
+        assert_eq!(
+            ClientArch::LegacyX86.ipxe_bootfile_mode(DriverMode::Builtin),
+            Some("ipxe.pxe")
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            ClientArch::X64Uefi.ipxe_bootfile_mode(DriverMode::Builtin),
+            Some("ipxe.efi")
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            ClientArch::Ia32Uefi.ipxe_bootfile_mode(DriverMode::Builtin),
+            Some("ipxe-i386.efi")
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            ClientArch::Arm64Uefi.ipxe_bootfile_mode(DriverMode::Builtin),
+            Some("ipxe-arm64.efi")
+        );
+        // No binary for ARM32 / unknown in either mode.
+        assert_eq!(
+            ClientArch::Arm32Uefi.ipxe_bootfile_mode(DriverMode::Builtin),
+            None
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            ClientArch::Unknown(0x99).ipxe_bootfile_mode(DriverMode::Builtin),
+            None
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn driver_mode_default_is_firmware() {
+        assert_eq!(DriverMode::default(), DriverMode::Firmware);
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn firmware_class_detects_ipxe_over_pxeclient() {
         let c = FirmwareClass::classify(Some(b"PXEClient:Arch:00007"), Some(b"iPXE"));

crates/core/src/lib.rs

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ pub mod settings;
 pub mod sso;
 pub mod wol;
 
-pub use arch::{ClientArch, FirmwareClass};
+pub use arch::{ClientArch, DriverMode, FirmwareClass};
 pub use auth::{AdminAccount, AdminPublic, AdminStore};
 pub use boot_log::{BootEvent, BootLog};
 pub use branding::{ext_for_mime, BrandingStore, LogoSlot, ALLOWED_LOGO_MIMES, MAX_LOGO_BYTES};

crates/dhcp-proxy/Cargo.toml

@@ -18,3 +18,4 @@ tracing.workspace = true
 thiserror.workspace = true
 anyhow.workspace = true
 bytes.workspace = true
+parking_lot.workspace = true

crates/dhcp-proxy/src/escalation.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,202 @@
+//! Automatic per-MAC NIC driver-mode escalation (v0.6.1).
+//!
+//! OpenPXE serves the firmware-net iPXE build (`snponly`/`undionly`) by
+//! default — it's the most reliable choice for chainloading because the
+//! firmware just proved its network works by downloading the NBP. A minority
+//! of NICs have a missing or buggy firmware UNDI/SNP stack; those clients
+//! TFTP the binary fine, but then iPXE can't bring the link up, so the
+//! tell-tale second DHCP DISCOVER carrying the `iPXE` user-class never arrives
+//! and the machine eventually re-PXE-boots.
+//!
+//! We detect exactly that: a *fresh* firmware DISCOVER from a MAC whose
+//! previous firmware attempt was never confirmed by an iPXE handoff means the
+//! firmware-net build failed → escalate that MAC to [`DriverMode::Builtin`]
+//! (iPXE's own NIC drivers). The decision is sticky — once a MAC settles on a
+//! mode that completes the handoff, later boots go straight to it. There is no
+//! operator toggle; it just works, and the default (firmware) path is
+//! unchanged so hardware that already boots never regresses.
+
+use openpxe_core::DriverMode;
+use parking_lot::Mutex;
+use std::collections::HashMap;
+use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
+
+/// Multiple DISCOVERs within this window belong to the *same* boot (DHCP
+/// retransmits, plus the :4011 PXE Boot Server query that follows the :67
+/// DISCOVER). They must not be mistaken for a failed-and-retried boot.
+const SAME_BOOT_DEBOUNCE: Duration = Duration::from_secs(8);
+
+/// Forget a MAC's state after this long with no activity, so a transient
+/// escalation doesn't pin a client to Builtin forever and the map stays
+/// bounded over a long-running deployment.
+const ENTRY_TTL: Duration = Duration::from_mins(30);
+
+/// Hard cap on tracked MACs. Past this we evict the least-recently-seen
+/// entry — escalation is best-effort, never a memory-growth vector.
+const MAX_ENTRIES: usize = 4096;
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy)]
+struct Entry {
+    mode: DriverMode,
+    /// True once we've served `mode` and are waiting for the iPXE handoff to
+    /// confirm it worked. A *new* boot arriving while this is still true means
+    /// the previous attempt failed and we should escalate.
+    awaiting_confirm: bool,
+    last_seen: Instant,
+}
+
+/// Tracks per-MAC driver-mode escalation. Cheap to share via `Arc`.
+#[derive(Debug, Default)]
+pub struct DriverEscalation {
+    inner: Mutex<HashMap<String, Entry>>,
+}
+
+impl DriverEscalation {
+    #[must_use]
+    pub fn new() -> Self {
+        Self::default()
+    }
+
+    /// Decide the driver mode for a firmware (PXEClient/HTTPClient) boot from
+    /// `mac`. `primary` is true for the main DHCP DISCOVER (:67) and false for
+    /// the PXE Boot Server query (:4011); only the primary path drives
+    /// escalation, and only when it's clearly a *new* boot (outside the
+    /// same-boot debounce). The :4011 path just echoes the current mode.
+    pub fn mode_for_firmware_attempt(&self, mac: &str, primary: bool) -> DriverMode {
+        self.decide_at(mac, primary, Instant::now())
+    }
+
+    /// Record that `mac` completed the iPXE handoff (a DISCOVER carrying the
+    /// `iPXE` user-class). The mode we last served worked, so stop awaiting
+    /// confirmation and keep it sticky for next time.
+    pub fn mark_ipxe_success(&self, mac: &str) {
+        self.confirm_at(mac, Instant::now());
+    }
+
+    fn decide_at(&self, mac: &str, primary: bool, now: Instant) -> DriverMode {
+        let mut g = self.inner.lock();
+        g.retain(|_, e| now.duration_since(e.last_seen) < ENTRY_TTL);
+
+        match g.get_mut(mac) {
+            None => {
+                g.insert(
+                    mac.to_owned(),
+                    Entry {
+                        mode: DriverMode::Firmware,
+                        // Only the primary DISCOVER opens a confirmation window.
+                        awaiting_confirm: primary,
+                        last_seen: now,
+                    },
+                );
+                if g.len() > MAX_ENTRIES {
+                    evict_oldest(&mut g);
+                }
+                DriverMode::Firmware
+            }
+            Some(entry) => {
+                let recent = now.duration_since(entry.last_seen) < SAME_BOOT_DEBOUNCE;
+                if primary && !recent {
+                    // A genuinely new boot. If the previous attempt was never
+                    // confirmed, the firmware-net build failed → escalate to
+                    // the all-drivers build. Builtin is the most capable build
+                    // we have, so it's the single escalation target (and a MAC
+                    // already on Builtin simply stays there).
+                    if entry.awaiting_confirm {
+                        entry.mode = DriverMode::Builtin;
+                    }
+                    entry.awaiting_confirm = true;
+                }
+                entry.last_seen = now;
+                entry.mode
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn confirm_at(&self, mac: &str, now: Instant) {
+        let mut g = self.inner.lock();
+        if let Some(e) = g.get_mut(mac) {
+            e.awaiting_confirm = false;
+            e.last_seen = now;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn evict_oldest(map: &mut HashMap<String, Entry>) {
+    if let Some(oldest) = map
+        .iter()
+        .min_by_key(|(_, e)| e.last_seen)
+        .map(|(k, _)| k.clone())
+    {
+        map.remove(&oldest);
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn firmware_first_then_escalates_on_unconfirmed_retry() {
+        let e = DriverEscalation::new();
+        let t0 = Instant::now();
+        // Boot 1, primary DISCOVER: firmware.
+        assert_eq!(e.decide_at("aa", true, t0), DriverMode::Firmware);
+        // Same boot's :4011 query (+1s, within debounce): still firmware, no escalation.
+        assert_eq!(
+            e.decide_at("aa", false, t0 + Duration::from_secs(1)),
+            DriverMode::Firmware
+        );
+        // Firmware net failed → no iPXE handoff → machine re-PXE-boots much
+        // later: escalate to builtin drivers.
+        assert_eq!(
+            e.decide_at("aa", true, t0 + Duration::from_mins(1)),
+            DriverMode::Builtin
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn builtin_is_sticky_after_success() {
+        let e = DriverEscalation::new();
+        let t0 = Instant::now();
+        assert_eq!(e.decide_at("bb", true, t0), DriverMode::Firmware);
+        assert_eq!(
+            e.decide_at("bb", true, t0 + Duration::from_mins(1)),
+            DriverMode::Builtin
+        );
+        // Builtin worked this time — confirm the handoff.
+        e.confirm_at("bb", t0 + Duration::from_secs(61));
+        // Next cold boot goes straight to builtin (no wasted firmware attempt).
+        assert_eq!(
+            e.decide_at("bb", true, t0 + Duration::from_mins(2)),
+            DriverMode::Builtin
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn confirmed_firmware_never_escalates() {
+        let e = DriverEscalation::new();
+        let t0 = Instant::now();
+        assert_eq!(e.decide_at("cc", true, t0), DriverMode::Firmware);
+        // snponly worked: handoff confirmed.
+        e.confirm_at("cc", t0 + Duration::from_secs(2));
+        // A later boot stays on firmware — no spurious escalation.
+        assert_eq!(
+            e.decide_at("cc", true, t0 + Duration::from_mins(5)),
+            DriverMode::Firmware
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn stale_entry_is_forgotten_and_resets_to_firmware() {
+        let e = DriverEscalation::new();
+        let t0 = Instant::now();
+        assert_eq!(e.decide_at("dd", true, t0), DriverMode::Firmware);
+        assert_eq!(
+            e.decide_at("dd", true, t0 + Duration::from_mins(1)),
+            DriverMode::Builtin
+        );
+        // After the TTL with no activity the entry is pruned → fresh firmware.
+        let later = t0 + Duration::from_mins(1) + ENTRY_TTL + Duration::from_secs(1);
+        assert_eq!(e.decide_at("dd", true, later), DriverMode::Firmware);
+    }
+}

crates/dhcp-proxy/src/lib.rs

@@ -17,7 +17,9 @@
 //!   clients silently drop them.
 #![forbid(unsafe_code)]
 
+pub mod escalation;
 pub mod reply;
 pub mod server;
 
+pub use escalation::DriverEscalation;
 pub use server::DhcpProxyServer;

crates/dhcp-proxy/src/reply.rs

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 //!     pass, or the HTTP URL of the boot script once iPXE has chained.
 
 use dhcproto::v4::{DhcpOption, Message, MessageType, Opcode, OptionCode};
-use openpxe_core::{ClientArch, FirmwareClass};
+use openpxe_core::{ClientArch, DriverMode, FirmwareClass};
 use std::net::Ipv4Addr;
 
 /// Where the reply directs the client next.
@@ -31,6 +31,11 @@ pub struct ReplyContext<'a> {
     pub our_ip: Ipv4Addr,
     pub arch: ClientArch,
     pub class: FirmwareClass,
+    /// Which iPXE network backend to advertise for this client. The DHCP
+    /// proxy fills this from the automatic per-MAC escalation state: normally
+    /// [`DriverMode::Firmware`], escalated to [`DriverMode::Builtin`] for a
+    /// MAC whose firmware-net boot failed to chainload (v0.6.1).
+    pub driver_mode: DriverMode,
     /// Public base URL (scheme://host[:port]) used in HTTP directives.
     pub public_base_url: &'a str,
 }
@@ -52,9 +57,13 @@ pub fn decide(ctx: &ReplyContext<'_>) -> BootDirective {
         },
         FirmwareClass::HttpClient => {
             // UEFI HTTP boot: client wants an http:// URL in option 67
-            // pointing at an EFI executable. We serve ipxe.efi over HTTP;
+            // pointing at an EFI executable. We serve the iPXE EFI build for
-            // it'll then do the same script-fetch the iPXE path does.
+            // the negotiated driver mode over HTTP; it'll then do the same
-            let name = ctx.arch.ipxe_bootfile().unwrap_or("snponly.efi");
+            // script-fetch the iPXE path does.
+            let name = ctx
+                .arch
+                .ipxe_bootfile_mode(ctx.driver_mode)
+                .unwrap_or("snponly.efi");
             BootDirective::HttpScript {
                 url: format!(
                     "{}/ipxe/{}",
@@ -63,7 +72,7 @@ pub fn decide(ctx: &ReplyContext<'_>) -> BootDirective {
                 ),
             }
         }
-        FirmwareClass::PxeClient => match ctx.arch.ipxe_bootfile() {
+        FirmwareClass::PxeClient => match ctx.arch.ipxe_bootfile_mode(ctx.driver_mode) {
             Some(name) => BootDirective::TftpIpxe {
                 filename: name.to_string(),
             },

crates/dhcp-proxy/src/server.rs

@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
 //! UDP listener loop for the DHCP proxy. Accepts on :67 (and :4011 on a
 //! second socket) and dispatches each datagram through the pure reply logic.
 
+use crate::escalation::DriverEscalation;
 use crate::reply::{build_reply, decide, BootDirective, ReplyContext};
 use dhcproto::v4::{DhcpOption, Message, OptionCode};
 use dhcproto::{Decodable, Decoder, Encodable, Encoder};
-use openpxe_core::{ClientArch, ClientEvent, ClientRegistry, FirmwareClass};
+use openpxe_core::{ClientArch, ClientEvent, ClientRegistry, DriverMode, FirmwareClass};
 use socket2::{Domain, Protocol, Socket, Type};
 use std::net::{IpAddr, Ipv4Addr, SocketAddr, SocketAddrV4};
 use std::sync::Arc;
@@ -18,6 +19,9 @@ pub struct DhcpProxyServer {
     public_base_url: String,
     clients: Arc<ClientRegistry>,
     metrics: openpxe_core::Metrics,
+    /// Automatic per-MAC NIC driver-mode escalation (v0.6.1). Shared across
+    /// the :67 and :4011 listener tasks via the server `Arc`.
+    escalation: DriverEscalation,
 }
 
 impl DhcpProxyServer {
@@ -38,6 +42,7 @@ impl DhcpProxyServer {
             public_base_url,
             clients,
             metrics,
+            escalation: DriverEscalation::new(),
         }
     }
 
@@ -126,11 +131,30 @@ impl DhcpProxyServer {
             },
         );
 
+        // Automatic NIC driver-mode selection (v0.6.1). The default is
+        // firmware-net (snponly/undionly). A successful iPXE handoff confirms
+        // the current mode works for this MAC; a fresh firmware boot whose
+        // predecessor never handed off escalates the MAC to iPXE's built-in
+        // NIC drivers. No operator toggle — the firmware path is unchanged so
+        // hardware that already boots never regresses.
+        let driver_mode = match class {
+            FirmwareClass::IpxeUserClass => {
+                self.escalation.mark_ipxe_success(&mac);
+                DriverMode::Firmware // unused: this path serves the HTTP script
+            }
+            FirmwareClass::PxeClient | FirmwareClass::HttpClient => self
+                .escalation
+                .mode_for_firmware_attempt(&mac, label == "67"),
+            // Unreachable: FirmwareClass::Other returned above.
+            FirmwareClass::Other => DriverMode::Firmware,
+        };
+
         let ctx = ReplyContext {
             request: &request,
             our_ip: self.our_ip,
             arch,
             class,
+            driver_mode,
             public_base_url: &self.public_base_url,
         };
         let directive = decide(&ctx);
@@ -154,7 +178,7 @@ impl DhcpProxyServer {
         sock.send_to(&out, dest).await?;
         tracing::info!(
             target: "openpxe::dhcp",
-            mac=%mac, arch=arch.as_str(), class=?class, dest=%dest, directive=?directive,
+            mac=%mac, arch=arch.as_str(), class=?class, driver=?driver_mode, dest=%dest, directive=?directive,
             "PXE reply sent"
         );
         Ok(())

crates/ipxe-assets/src/lib.rs

@@ -6,23 +6,32 @@
 //! missing, that architecture simply won't have PXE support — we log at
 //! startup and serve what we have.
 //!
-//! Filename convention (matches `ClientArch::ipxe_bootfile`):
+//! Filename convention (matches `ClientArch::ipxe_bootfile_mode`):
+//!
+//! DriverMode::Firmware (default — reuse the firmware UNDI/SNP NIC stack):
 //!   - `undionly.kpxe`       — Legacy x86 BIOS
 //!   - `snponly-i386.efi`    — IA32 UEFI
 //!   - `snponly.efi`         — x86_64 UEFI
-//!   - `snponly-arm32.efi`   — ARM32 UEFI
 //!   - `snponly-arm64.efi`   — ARM64 UEFI
-//!   - `ipxe.efi` (fallback) — UEFI with bundled drivers, if snponly fails on a NIC
+//!
+//! DriverMode::Builtin (v0.6.1 automatic fallback — iPXE's own NIC drivers,
+//! advertised when a firmware-net boot fails to chainload):
+//!   - `ipxe.pxe`            — Legacy x86 BIOS
+//!   - `ipxe-i386.efi`       — IA32 UEFI
+//!   - `ipxe.efi`            — x86_64 UEFI (built from source with PNG)
+//!   - `ipxe-arm64.efi`      — ARM64 UEFI
+//!
 //!   - `wimboot`             — Windows boot shim (fetched separately for WIM chains)
 #![forbid(unsafe_code)]
 
-use openpxe_core::ClientArch;
+use openpxe_core::{ClientArch, DriverMode};
 use rust_embed::Embed;
 
 #[derive(Embed)]
 #[folder = "../../assets/ipxe/"]
 #[include = "*.kpxe"]
 #[include = "*.efi"]
+#[include = "*.pxe"]
 #[include = "wimboot"]
 pub struct IpxeAssets;
 
@@ -56,25 +65,42 @@ pub fn list_assets() -> Vec<String> {
         .collect()
 }
 
-/// Log at startup which iPXE binaries are present and which are missing.
+/// Log at startup which iPXE binaries are present and which are missing, for
+/// both driver modes. The Firmware-mode binaries are required for PXE on each
+/// arch; the Builtin-mode binaries are the optional automatic NIC-driver
+/// fallback (v0.6.1) — without one, escalation simply can't help that arch.
 pub fn log_availability() {
     let have: std::collections::HashSet<String> = list_assets().into_iter().collect();
-    let needed = [
+    let arches = [
-        (ClientArch::LegacyX86, "undionly.kpxe"),
+        ClientArch::LegacyX86,
-        (ClientArch::Ia32Uefi, "snponly-i386.efi"),
+        ClientArch::Ia32Uefi,
-        (ClientArch::X64Uefi, "snponly.efi"),
+        ClientArch::X64Uefi,
-        // ARM32 UEFI deferred — no upstream snponly binary published.
+        // ARM32 UEFI deferred — no upstream binary published in either mode.
-        (ClientArch::Arm64Uefi, "snponly-arm64.efi"),
+        ClientArch::Arm64Uefi,
     ];
-    for (arch, name) in needed {
+    for arch in arches {
+        for mode in [DriverMode::Firmware, DriverMode::Builtin] {
+            let Some(name) = arch.ipxe_bootfile_mode(mode) else {
+                continue;
+            };
             if have.contains(name) {
-            tracing::info!(target: "openpxe::ipxe", "bundled iPXE for {}: {}", arch.as_str(), name);
+                tracing::info!(
-        } else {
+                    target: "openpxe::ipxe",
+                    "bundled iPXE for {} [{mode:?}]: {name}", arch.as_str()
+                );
+            } else if mode == DriverMode::Firmware {
                 tracing::warn!(
                     target: "openpxe::ipxe",
-                "MISSING iPXE binary for {}: {} — clients of this arch will not PXE boot",
+                    "MISSING iPXE binary for {} [{mode:?}]: {name} — clients of this arch will not PXE boot",
-                arch.as_str(), name
+                    arch.as_str()
+                );
+            } else {
+                tracing::info!(
+                    target: "openpxe::ipxe",
+                    "no built-in-driver fallback for {} [{mode:?}]: {name} — auto NIC driver escalation unavailable for this arch",
+                    arch.as_str()
                 );
             }
         }
+    }
 }

scripts/build-ipxe.sh

@@ -41,15 +41,31 @@ DEST="${1:-$ROOT/assets/ipxe}"
 WORK="$(mktemp -d)"
 trap 'rm -rf "$WORK"' EXIT
 
-# Pinned upstream iPXE. Rolling master is fine functionally, but a pin
+# Pinned upstream iPXE. Rolling master is fine functionally, but a pin keeps
-# keeps builds reproducible and protects against a transient master
+# builds reproducible, protects against a transient master breakage, and —
-# breakage. Bump deliberately.
+# crucially for the Docker image — busting this value invalidates the cached
+# ipxe-build layer so an "update iPXE" release actually recompiles from the
+# new upstream. Bump deliberately to a recent master commit.
+#
+# v0.6.1: ipxe/ipxe master @ 2026-06-09 (newer NIC drivers + EFI fixes;
+# mirrors iVentoy 1.0.35 "Update iPXE").
 IPXE_REPO="https://github.com/ipxe/ipxe.git"
-IPXE_REF="${IPXE_REF:-master}"
+IPXE_REF="${IPXE_REF:-95ffbf4745553e8a207922389929e1943c0237c0}"
 
-echo ">> cloning iPXE ($IPXE_REF)"
+echo ">> fetching iPXE ($IPXE_REF)"
-git clone --depth 1 --branch "$IPXE_REF" "$IPXE_REPO" "$WORK/ipxe" 2>/dev/null \
+# Shallow-fetch the exact ref: works for a full commit SHA (GitHub allows
-  || git clone "$IPXE_REPO" "$WORK/ipxe"
+# reachable-SHA1-in-want) and for branch/tag names. Fall back to a full
+# clone + checkout if the server refuses a direct fetch of this ref.
+git init -q "$WORK/ipxe"
+git -C "$WORK/ipxe" remote add origin "$IPXE_REPO"
+if git -C "$WORK/ipxe" fetch -q --depth 1 origin "$IPXE_REF"; then
+  git -C "$WORK/ipxe" checkout -q FETCH_HEAD
+else
+  echo "   direct fetch failed; falling back to full clone + checkout"
+  rm -rf "$WORK/ipxe"
+  git clone -q "$IPXE_REPO" "$WORK/ipxe"
+  git -C "$WORK/ipxe" checkout -q "$IPXE_REF"
+fi
 SRC="$WORK/ipxe/src"
 
 echo ">> applying OpenPXE config overrides (PNG + framebuffer + console cmd)"

scripts/fetch-ipxe.sh

@@ -29,11 +29,19 @@ mkdir -p "$DEST"
 # Upstream uses arch-scoped subdirectories; we flatten to the names our
 # ClientArch::ipxe_bootfile() expects.
 declare -a MAP=(
+  # DriverMode::Firmware (default) — reuse the firmware UNDI/SNP NIC stack.
   "undionly.kpxe=undionly.kpxe"
   "snponly.efi=x86_64-efi/snponly.efi"
   "snponly-i386.efi=i386-efi/snponly.efi"
   "snponly-arm64.efi=arm64-efi/snponly.efi"
-  "ipxe.efi=x86_64-efi/ipxe.efi"          # fallback with bundled drivers
+  # DriverMode::Builtin (v0.6.1 automatic fallback) — iPXE's own all-drivers
+  # builds, advertised by the DHCP proxy to a MAC whose firmware NIC stack
+  # failed to chainload. (x86_64 ipxe.efi is rebuilt from source with PNG in
+  # build-ipxe.sh and overlaid on top of this fetched baseline.)
+  "ipxe.efi=x86_64-efi/ipxe.efi"
+  "ipxe.pxe=ipxe.pxe"
+  "ipxe-i386.efi=i386-efi/ipxe.efi"
+  "ipxe-arm64.efi=arm64-efi/ipxe.efi"
 )
 
 BASE="https://boot.ipxe.org"