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

VMware ESXi 6.7.X, VMware ESXi 7.x, VMware ESXi 8.x
Article Properties
Article Number: 000218007
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 05 Feb 2026
Version:  7
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