PowerEdge: Upgrading ESXi with Dell Customized Image using Command Line

Summary: Customers seeking to upgrade their ESXi server with the Dell Customized Image can follow this step-by-step guide for a command line (CLI) upgrade.

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Instructions

Overview

This technical article provides instructions for upgrading ESXi on Dell PowerEdge servers using the Dell Custom Image using command-line interface (CLI). The procedure outlined below enables system administrators to perform remote upgrades while maintaining Dell-specific drivers and customizations.

Prerequisites

Required components:

  • VMware customer account credentials (Broadcom portal access)
  • Available storage capacity on compatible ESXi datastore
  • SSH root access credentials to target ESXi server
  • Verified backup of ESXi configuration and virtual machines
  • Scheduled maintenance window for system downtime

Technical Specifications

  • Estimated implementation time: 30-45 minutes
  • Systems restart required: Yes
  • Required privileges: Root access
  • Impact: Production system downtime during upgrade and reboot

Implementation Procedure

  1. Download Dell Customized ESXi Image.

    Read the VMware Broadcom article VMware vSphere downloads, VMware vCenter Converter, OEM custom images, patches, and addons in the Broadcom Support PortalThis hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies. for full download instructions.

    Custom OEM ESXi Image:

    • Under the Products Tab, choose the user entitlement for VMware vSphere (for example click VMware vSphere - Enterprise)
    • Select the major version of vSphere required
    • Select the Custom ISOs or OEM Addons tab
    • Click the required Custom image and ESXi version
  2. Image Transfer
    • Establish SFTP connection to ESXi host using WinSCP or equivalent client
    • Transfer Dell custom image to accessible ESXi datastore
    • Verify file integrity using command: 
      ls -l /vmfs/volumes/[datastore_name]/[ESXi_image_name].zip
  3. Host Access Configuration
    • Initialize SSH session to ESXi host
    • Authenticate using root credentials
    • Verify connectivity before proceeding
  4. Profile Configuration Identification
    • Run the following command to identify available image profiles: 
      esxcli software sources profile list -d /vmfs/volumes/[datastore_name]/[ESXi_image_name].zip
    • Expected output format: DellEMC-ESXi-7.0U3-XXXXX-standard
  5. Profile Installation Procedure

    Example of Complete Command:

    esxcli software profile install -p DEL-ESXi-703_18644231-A00 -d /vmfs/volumes/5f436c72-e018bfc0-a5dd-2cea7f5629a5/VMware-VMvisor-Installer-7.0.0.update03-18644231.x86_64-DellEMC_Customized-A00.zip --ok-to-remove

    Command Breakdown:

    • Profile Name: DEL-ESXi-703_18644231-A00
    • Datastore UUID: 5f436c72-e018bfc0-a5dd-2cea7f5629a5
    • Full Image Name: VMware-VMvisor-Installer-7.0.0.update03-18644231.x86_64-DellEMC_Customized-A00.zip

    How to Build Your Command:

    1. Get your datastore UUID: 
      ls -l /vmfs/volumes/
    2. Get your profile name: 
      esxcli software sources profile list -d /vmfs/volumes/[datastore_name]/[ESXi_image_name].zip
    3. Construct your command using this template: 
      esxcli software profile install -p [profile_name] -d /vmfs/volumes/[datastore_UUID]/[full_image_name].zip --ok-to-remove

    Parameter Definitions:

    • -p: Specifies the Dell profile identifier (example: DEL-ESXi-703_18644231-A00)
    • -d: Defines the complete path including datastore UUID
    • --ok-to-remove: Enables removal of superseded VIBs during installation
  6. Reboot system
    • Perform a system restart: reboot
    • Expected completion time: 5-10 minutes

Technical Documentation References

Support Information

For additional technical support, contact Dell Technical Support or your authorized service provider.

Important Notes

  • Perform all upgrade procedures during scheduled maintenance windows
  • Ensure that all virtual machines are properly shut down or migrated before proceeding
  • Maintain current backup of ESXi configuration
  • Document the current ESXi version and build number before upgrade
  • Test upgrade procedure in a non-production environment when possible

Affected Products

PowerEdge XR2, PowerEdge FC640, PowerEdge M640, PowerEdge M640 (for PE VRTX), PowerEdge MX740C, PowerEdge MX750c, PowerEdge MX760c, PowerEdge MX840C, PowerEdge R240, PowerEdge R250, PowerEdge R260, PowerEdge R340, PowerEdge R350, PowerEdge R360 , PowerEdge R440, PowerEdge R450, PowerEdge R540, PowerEdge R550, PowerEdge R640, PowerEdge R6415, PowerEdge R650, PowerEdge R650xs, PowerEdge R6515, PowerEdge R6525, PowerEdge R660, PowerEdge R660xs, PowerEdge R6615, PowerEdge R6625, PowerEdge R740, PowerEdge R740XD, PowerEdge R740XD2, PowerEdge R7415, PowerEdge R7425, PowerEdge R750, PowerEdge R750XA, PowerEdge R750xs, PowerEdge R7515, PowerEdge R7525, PowerEdge R760, PowerEdge R760XA, PowerEdge R760xd2, PowerEdge R760xs, PowerEdge R7615, PowerEdge R7625, PowerEdge R840, PowerEdge R860, PowerEdge R940, PowerEdge R940xa, PowerEdge R960, PowerEdge T140, PowerEdge T150, PowerEdge T160, PowerEdge T340, PowerEdge T350, PowerEdge T360, PowerEdge T440, PowerEdge T550, PowerEdge T560, PowerEdge T640, PowerEdge XE2420, PowerEdge XE7420, PowerEdge XE7440, PowerEdge XR11, PowerEdge XR12, VMware ESXi 6.7.X, VMware ESXi 7.x, VMware ESXi 8.x ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000218007
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 03 Mar 2025
Version:  6
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