VMware vSphere: 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 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

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Load the Broadcom Support portal web page
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.

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 - VMware Cloud Foundation:

Figure 4: Search for VMware vSphere

8. Select the VMware vSphere Product that you are entitled to download based on the Certificate Icon next to it:

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 don't use Custom ISOs instead See KB https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/000261475

Figure 7: Available Custom IOS versions

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

Figure 8: Custom Image expanded

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

Figure 9: Agreement check box

     14. 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:

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

Find the VMware compatibility information in the VMware compatibility Guide .