In computing, the Preboot eXecution Environment, PXE (most often pronounced as /ˈpɪksiː/ pixie) specification describes a standardized client–server environment that boots a software assembly, retrieved from a network, on PXE-enabled clients. On the client side it requires only a PXE-capable network interface controller (NIC), and uses a small set of industry-standard network protocols such as DHCP and TFTP.