Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract of Forescout Platform Administration and Deployment:
PXE (Preboot Execution Environment) boot endpoints should be exempt from Assessment policies because they are not yet manageable and may not have all the required software and services installed. According to the Forescout Administration Guide, endpoints in the early stages of deployment, such as those booting via PXE, are temporary in nature and lack the necessary management capabilities and required software components.
PXE Boot Endpoints Characteristics:
PXE boot endpoints represent machines in a temporary state during the deployment process:
Not Yet Fully Deployed - PXE boot is used during initial OS installation and deployment
Lack Required Services - The endpoint does not yet have installed:
SecureConnector (if required for management)
Endpoint agents
Required security software
Management services
Limited Configuration - The endpoint may not have completed network configuration
Temporary State - PXE boot endpoints are in a transient state, not their final operational state
Policy Endpoint Exceptions:
According to the documentation, administrators can "select endpoints in the Detections pane and exempt them from further inspection for the policy that detected them". This is particularly important for PXE boot endpoints because:
False Positives - Assessment policies might flag PXE boot endpoints as non-compliant due to missing software that hasn't been installed yet
Blocked Deployment - If blocking actions are applied, they could interfere with the deployment process
Temporary Assessment - Once the endpoint is fully deployed and manageable, it can be added back to Assessment policies
Operational Efficiency - Exempting PXE boot endpoints prevents unnecessary policy violations during the deployment window
Manageable vs. Unmanageable Endpoints:
According to the documentation:
"Endpoints are generally unmanageable if their remote registry and file system cannot be accessed by Forescout. Unmanageable hosts can be included in your policy."
PXE boot endpoints specifically fall into this category because:
Remote management is not yet available
Required agents are not installed
File system access is not established
Why Other Options Are Incorrect:
A. Because they will not be subject to the Acceptable Use Policy - Not the primary reason; Assessment policies differ from Acceptable Use policies
B. They have already been deployed and should immediately be subject to Assessment policies - Contradicts the purpose; PXE boot endpoints are NOT yet deployed
D. Because they will never be manageable or have the required software and services - Incorrect; once deployed, they WILL become manageable
E. Because they are special endpoints playing a specific role in the network - While true in context, this doesn't explain why they need exemption
Referenced Documentation:
Forescout Administration Guide - Create Policy Endpoint Exceptions
Restricting Endpoint Inspection documentation
Manage Actions - Unmanageable hosts section
