diff --git a/ironic_tempest_plugin/config.py b/ironic_tempest_plugin/config.py
index d5cdcfa..d232790 100644
--- a/ironic_tempest_plugin/config.py
+++ b/ironic_tempest_plugin/config.py
@@ -143,7 +143,14 @@
                     "as instance_info/root_gb value."),
     cfg.IntOpt('available_nodes', min=0, default=None,
                help="The number of baremetal hosts available to use for "
-                    "the tests.")
+                    "the tests."),
+    cfg.BoolOpt('partition_netboot',
+                default=True,
+                help="Treat partition images as netbooted as opposed to "
+                     "attempting to populate a boot loader. IF cirros is "
+                     "being used, this option should be set to True as "
+                     "it lacks the needed components to make it locally "
+                     "from a partition image."),
 ]
 
 BaremetalFeaturesGroup = [
diff --git a/ironic_tempest_plugin/tests/scenario/baremetal_standalone_manager.py b/ironic_tempest_plugin/tests/scenario/baremetal_standalone_manager.py
index bbd7782..4cf6a81 100644
--- a/ironic_tempest_plugin/tests/scenario/baremetal_standalone_manager.py
+++ b/ironic_tempest_plugin/tests/scenario/baremetal_standalone_manager.py
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@
 
     image_ref = None
     image_checksum = None
+    boot_option = None
 
     @classmethod
     def skip_checks(cls):
@@ -221,7 +222,8 @@
         return nodes[0]
 
     @classmethod
-    def boot_node(cls, image_ref=None, image_checksum=None):
+    def boot_node(cls, image_ref=None, image_checksum=None,
+                  boot_option=None):
         """Boot ironic node.
 
         The following actions are executed:
@@ -234,11 +236,16 @@
         :param image_ref: Reference to user image to boot node with.
         :param image_checksum: md5sum of image specified in image_ref.
                                Needed only when direct HTTP link is provided.
+        :param boot_option: The defaut boot option to utilize. If not
+                            specified, the ironic deployment default shall
+                            be utilized.
         """
         if image_ref is None:
             image_ref = cls.image_ref
         if image_checksum is None:
             image_checksum = cls.image_checksum
+        if boot_option is None:
+            boot_option = cls.boot_option
 
         network, subnet, router = cls.create_networks()
         n_port = cls.create_neutron_port(network_id=network['id'])
@@ -253,6 +260,11 @@
         patch.append({'path': '/instance_info/root_gb',
                       'op': 'add',
                       'value': CONF.baremetal.adjusted_root_disk_size_gb})
+
+        if boot_option:
+            patch.append({'path': '/instance_info/capabilities',
+                          'op': 'add',
+                          'value': {'boot_option': boot_option}})
         # TODO(vsaienko) add testing for custom configdrive
         cls.update_node(cls.node['uuid'], patch=patch)
         cls.set_node_provision_state(cls.node['uuid'], 'active')
diff --git a/ironic_tempest_plugin/tests/scenario/ironic_standalone/test_basic_ops.py b/ironic_tempest_plugin/tests/scenario/ironic_standalone/test_basic_ops.py
index 45b5271..ecd4463 100644
--- a/ironic_tempest_plugin/tests/scenario/ironic_standalone/test_basic_ops.py
+++ b/ironic_tempest_plugin/tests/scenario/ironic_standalone/test_basic_ops.py
@@ -148,6 +148,7 @@
     deploy_interface = 'iscsi'
     image_ref = CONF.baremetal.partition_image_ref
     wholedisk_image = False
+    boot_option = 'netboot' if CONF.baremetal.partition_netboot else 'local'
 
     @decorators.idempotent_id('7d0b205e-edbc-4e2d-9f6d-95cd74eefecb')
     @utils.services('image', 'network')
@@ -162,6 +163,7 @@
     deploy_interface = 'direct'
     image_ref = CONF.baremetal.partition_image_ref
     wholedisk_image = False
+    boot_option = 'netboot' if CONF.baremetal.partition_netboot else 'local'
 
     @decorators.idempotent_id('7b4b2dcd-2bbb-44f5-991f-0964300af6b7')
     @utils.services('image', 'network')
@@ -219,6 +221,7 @@
     rescue_interface = 'agent'
     image_ref = CONF.baremetal.partition_image_ref
     wholedisk_image = False
+    boot_option = 'netboot' if CONF.baremetal.partition_netboot else 'local'
 
     # NOTE(jroll) the ansible deploy interface doesn't support partition images
     # with netboot mode. Since that's what is happening here, explicitly choose