Netinstall won't start after finding PXE client

Hardware MikroTik hardware general
1

Hello, I’m trying to netinstall a bricked RB4011 using netinstall for Linux (Ubuntu 20.04 VM under VMware Fusion).

mkdir netinstall && cd netinstall
wget https://download.mikrotik.com/routeros/7.1rc4/netinstall-7.1rc4.tar.gz https://download.mikrotik.com/routeros/7.1rc4/routeros-7.1rc4-arm.npk
tar -zxvf netinstall-7.1rc4.tar.gz
sudo ./netinstall -a 192.168.XX.YY routeros-7.1rc4-arm.npk
Using server IP: 192.168.XX.ZZ
Starting PXE server
Waiting for RouterBOARD...
PXE client: AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF

…but then nothing happens, no “Sending image”. The same PXE client appears then several times. I am currently using DHCP instead of BOOTP. I’m using a console cable to verify the process in the other side. I can access setup. Should I format NAND or use any of the available options in RouterBOOT? Thank you.

EDIT: Some thoughts about netinstall for Linux CLI:

  • It doesn’t work on macOS Intel 64 bit:
cannot execute binary file

or

exec format error



  • It doesn’t work on neither Raspberry Pi Ubuntu ARM64 nor Raspbian ARM (32 bit):
Syntax error: "(" unexpected



  • It works on Ubuntu x64

EDIT2: Solved blockage after switching to BOOTP, but then I got:

Sending image: arm
Discovered RouterBOARD...
Key was rejected

On the RB4011 side I get some mac info along with the key:

Welcome to MikroTik Router Software remote installation 7.1rc4
Press Ctrl-Alt-Delete to abort

mac-address: AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:01
mac-address: AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:02
mac-address: AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:03
mac-address: AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:04
mac-address: AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:05
mac-address: AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:06
mac-address: AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:07
mac-address: AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:08
mac-address: AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:09
mac-address: AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:0A
mac-address: AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:0B


software-id: PTLK-WN2S key:
xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx

Waiting for installation server...

EDIT3: What is the “-a” parameter for? Is it important? I just put an available IP address in my subnet, but some people put 192.168.88.1


EDIT4: SOLVED!!! Based on this thread: https://forum.mikrotik.com/viewtopic.php?p=885791

  • Access bricked RB4011 via serial (Cisco) cable.


  • Enter setup, select boot device:
e - boot over Ethernet



  • Start netinstall from Linux x86 using old version (6.47.9). Wait for error to appear
Key was rejected



  • Start again netinstall from Windows using latest version (7.1RC4).


  • Success!

The problem was that Linux recognizes the router but won’t flash it. Windows on the other hand would not recognize the router (but it would flash it once recognized).
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