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VMware vSphere: How to Download and Use Dell Customized VMware ESXi Images for PowerEdge Servers

Summary: How to download and install Dell Customized VMware ESXi images for PowerEdge servers. Find step-by-step instructions and details on drivers, patches, and ISO availability.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.

Instructions

Certain Dell PowerEdge servers require the use of Dell Customized Image of VMware ESXi for the easiest and most reliable deployment of a fully managed server. To determine if your server requires the Dell Customized Image of VMware ESXi, see Important Information for the Dell Customized ESXi Image.


Table of Contents

  1. What drivers and files are modified or included on the Dell Customized Image of VMware ESXi?
  2. Download the Dell Customized Image of ESXi from VMware
  3. Installation

What drivers and files are modified or included on the Dell Customized Image of VMware ESXi?

Each image is a customization of the base VMware image of a particular version. Dell customization of the image includes:

  • Modifying files to identify Dell and Dell support.
  • Updating the ESXi image with the latest validated asynchronous drivers.
  • Updating patches if it addresses a common issue for Dell systems.

We recommended using the latest version of the image available for your Dell system.


Download the Dell Customized Image of VMware ESXi from VMware Support

Documentation is found at Instructions to find Product Downloads, OEM custom images, Patches, and Addons in the Broadcom Support Portal This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.


Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Load the Broadcom Support portal web pageThis hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.
  2. If you have not yet registered to the Broadcom site, create a registration. 
  3. Log in with your Broadcom registered user credentials. 
  4. Use the dropdown menu to the left of your name and select VMware Cloud Foundations.
Screenshot of dropdown menu to select VMware Cloud Foundation
Figure 1: Select VMware Cloud Foundation.
  1. From the left-hand menu, click My Downloads.
My Downloads
Figure 2: My Downloads
  1. In the search bar in the upper right side of the page, enter "VMware vSphere" (vSphere is on the second page)
Screenshot of product search box
Figure 3: Product Search box 
  1. Select VMware vSphere from My Downloads - VMware Cloud Foundation:

My Downloads - VMware Cloud Foundation

Figure 4: Search for VMware vSphere

  1. Select the VMware vSphere Product that you are entitled to download based on the Certificate Icon next to it:
List of VMware vSphere Products
Figure 5: List of VMware vSphere Products
  1. In this scenario, expanded the VMware vSphere - Enterprise Plus:

VMware vSphere Enterprise Plus - Expanded

Figure 6: VMware vSphere Enterprise Plus - Expanded

     10. In this scenario, selected the 8.0 Release:

8.0 Release selection

Figure 7: 8.0 Release selection.

     11. Select Custom ISO at the top and enter Dell in the search box. All Dell Custom ISO versions are on display.

Available Custom IOS versions

Figure 7: Available Custom IOS versions

     12. In this scenario, expand the Dell Custom Image for ESXi 8.0U3 Install CD:

 Custom Image expanded

Figure 8: Custom Image expanded

     13. Check the box for I agree to the Terms and Conditions:

Agreement check box

Figure 9: Agreement check box

     14. Click Download Icon for ISO Installer or ZIP Bundle Installer. In this scenario, selected the ISO installer:

Select ISO to download
Figure 10: Select ISO to download.

Installation

To install ESXi, boot on the ISO file and follow the instructions. Alternative methods can be used to boot on the ISO file:

Find the VMware compatibility information in the VMware compatibility Guide This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies..

 

Additional Information

Note:
On February 12, 2024, VMware by Broadcom announced that the free ESXi hypervisor in versions 7.x and 8.x would no longer be available.

Where can I download VMware ESXi 8?
You can obtain the ESXi installer software either from an OEM or from the Broadcom Support Portal. Register on the Broadcom Support Portal.
Download the ESXi Installer. This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.

Affected Products

VMware ESXi 6.7.X, VMware ESXi 6.x, VMware ESXi 7.x, VMware ESXi 8.x
Article Properties
Article Number: 000176963
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 02 Dec 2024
Version:  13
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