Customized Image of VMware ESXi Availability and Download 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. Download the Dell Customized Image of ESXi from Dell Support
4. Installation

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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.

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Download the Dell Customized Image of VMware ESXi from VMware Support

Documentation can be found at Instructions to find Product Downloads, OEM custom images, Patches and Addons in the Broadcom Support Portal

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Load the Broadcom Support portal web page
2. If you have not registered yet, register. 
3. Log in with your registered user credentials. 
4. Use the dropdown next to Username and select VMware Cloud Foundations.
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   • Figure 1: Select VMware Cloud Foundation
5. On the left hand side menu, click My Downloads.
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   • Figure 2: My Downloads
6. In the search bar in the upper right side of the page enter "VMware vSphere"
7. Choose VMware vSphere
   • 
   • Figure 3: Search for VMware vSphere
8. ESXi Downloads 
9. Custom ISOs and OEM Addons:
10. Under the Products Tab, choose the user entitlement for VMware vSphere (as in click VMware vSphere - Enterprise).
    • 
    • Figure 4: Select VMware vSphere Enterprise
11. Select the major version of vSphere required.
12. Select the Custom ISOs or OEM Addons tab.
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    • Figure 5: Select Custom ISOs
13. Click the wanted Custom ISO or Addon by OEM name and ESXi version.
14. Download the wanted deliverable and readme file for links to any OEM documentation. 
    • ​​​​​​​
    • Figure 6: Select ISO to download

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Download the Dell Customized Image of VMware ESXi from Dell Support

 

To download the Dell Customized Image of VMware ESXi, perform the following steps:

1. Go to Dell Support, and select your product from the Product Support section or enter service tag.
2. Click the Drivers & Downloads tab.
3. Filter the request Enterprise Solutions in the Category field. 
4. Expand the VMware ESXi link, and click Download on the required version for your server.

For example: Here is the download link of Dell Customized Image of VMware ESXi 6.7 U3 in our website for your reference.

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Installation

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

• How to Create a Bootable USB Device with Rufus to Update Dell Servers | Dell US
• Using the Virtual Media Function on iDRAC6, iDRAC7, iDRAC8 and iDRAC9 | Dell US

Find the VMware compatibility information in the VMware compatibility Guide .

Not required

See above.