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

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:

Information about installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting VMware ESXi 8.x

Information about installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting VMware ESXi 9.x

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
   1. VMware vSphere 8.x Instructions
   2. VMware VCF or VVF 9.x Instructions
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:

VMware vSphere 8.x downloads, OEM custom images, patches, and addons in the Broadcom Support Portal

VMware VCF or VVF 9.x downloads, OEM custom images, patches, and addons in the Broadcom Support Portal

Step-by-Step Instructions for vSphere 8.x:

1. Load the Broadcom Support portal web page
2. Registration is required to access the support portal. A Site ID is required for software download entitlement. Use the following documentation to request the required access:
   1. Register for an account on the Broadcom Support Portal and Communities
   2. Using your Broadcom ID(s) for full support portal access
   3. How to Access Broadcom Support to Open VMware Tickets
3. Log in with your Broadcom registered user credentials. 
   Note: In order to view the VMware Products and download the Custom ISOs, the account must be tied to an active entitlement. Otherwise no products are displayed.
4. Use the dropdown menu to the left of your name and select VMware Cloud Foundations.

5. From the left-hand menu, click My Downloads.

6. In the search bar in the upper right side of the page, enter "VMware vSphere" (vSphere is on the second page)

7. Select VMware vSphere from My Downloads:

Figure 4: Search for VMware vSphere

8. Select the VMware vSphere Product that you are entitled to download based and expand the section:

9. In this scenario, expanded the VMware vSphere - Enterprise Plus:

Figure 6: VMware vSphere Enterprise Plus - Expanded

10. In this scenario, selected the 8.0 Release:

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.

Note: For PowerFlex do not use Custom ISOs instead See KB PowerFlex How to download VMware ISO file

Figure 8: Available Custom IOS versions

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

Figure 9: Custom Image expanded

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

Figure 10: Agreement checkbox

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

Step-by-Step Instructions for vSphere 9.x:

1. Load the Broadcom Support portal web page
2. Registration is required to access the support portal. A Site ID is required for software download entitlement. Use the following documentation to request the required access:
   1. Register for an account on the Broadcom Support Portal and Communities
   2. Using your Broadcom ID(s) for full support portal access
   3. How to Access Broadcom Support to Open VMware Tickets
3. Log in with your Broadcom registered user credentials. 
   Note: In order to view the VMware Products and download the Custom ISOs the account must be tied to an active entitlement. Otherwise no products are displayed.
4. Use the dropdown menu to the left of your name and select VMware Cloud Foundations.

5. From the left-hand menu, click My Downloads.

6. In the search bar in the upper right side of the page, enter "Foundation."

7. Select either VMware vSphere Foundation or VMware Cloud Foundation depending on your entitlement from My Downloads:

Figure 15: Search for VMware vSphere

8. Select the VCF or VVF Product that you are entitled to download based and expand the section:

9. In this scenario, expanded the VMware vSphere Foundation 9:

Figure 17: VMware vSphere Enterprise Plus - Expanded

10. In this scenario, selected the 9.0.0.0 Release in order to get OEM Addons and Custom ISOs:

Figure 18: 9.0.0.0 Release selection.

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

Note: For PowerFlex do not use Custom ISOs instead See KB PowerFlex How to download VMware ISO file

Figure 19: Available Custom IOS versions

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

Figure 20: Agreement checkbox

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

Installation

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

• PowerEdge: How to create a bootable USB drive for OS Installation
• Using the Virtual Media Function on iDRAC6, iDRAC7, iDRAC8 and iDRAC9

Find the VMware compatibility information in the Broadcom compatibility Guide .

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.

You can access the older versions of the Custom ISOs from the Dell Support Site, for more information you can see: PowerEdge: How to find the older versions of Dell Customized ISOs for VMware

Refer to this video:

You can also view this video on YouTube.