Create a Customized ESXi ISO Image with the latest ESXi8 U3d package

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Create a customized VMware ESXi ISO image with the latest ESXi8 U3d package.

Resolution

• To load driver offline bundle

PS C:\> Add-EsxSoftwareDepot C:\temp\Intel-igbn_1.12.0.0-1OEM.800.1.0.20613240_22825804.zip

Depot Url                                                                                                                              
---------                                                                                                                              
zip:C:\temp\Intel-igbn_1.12.0.0-1OEM.800.1.0.20613240_22825804.zip?index.xml

• To get the package name by

PS C:\> Get-EsxSoftwarePackage

....

igbn                     1.11.2.0-1OEM.800.1.0.20613240 INT        12/20/2022 3:...

....

In this case, the package name is "igbn"

• To load ESXi Depot

PS C:\> Add-EsxSoftwareDepot C:\VMware-ESXi-8.0U3d-24585383-depot.zip

• To list the available image profiles

PS C:\> Get-EsxImageProfile | ft Name

Name                         
----                         
ESXi-8.0U3d-24585383-standard
ESXi-8.0U3d-24585383-no-tools

• Create an Image Profile name "TestProfile"

PS C:\> New-EsxImageProfile -CloneProfile ESXi-8.0U3d-24585383-standard -Name TestProfile -Vendor Lab

Name                           Vendor          Last Modified   Acceptance Level    
----                           ------          -------------   ----------------    
TestProfile                    Lab             3/4/2025 12:... PartnerSupported 

• Add the driver or required custom file

PS C:\> Add-EsxSoftwarePackage -ImageProfile TestProfile -SoftwarePackage igbn -Force

Name                           Vendor          Last Modified   Acceptance Level    
----                           ------          -------------   ----------------    
TestProfile                    Lab             3/13/2025 9:... PartnerSupported

• Change the Acceptance Level

PS C:\> Set-EsxImageProfile -AcceptanceLevel CommunitySupported -ImageProfile TestProfile

Name                           Vendor          Last Modified   Acceptance Level    
----                           ------          -------------   ----------------    
TestProfile                    Lab             3/13/2025 9:... CommunitySupported  

• Create a custom offline bundle using the image profile created

PS C:\> Export-EsxImageProfile -ImageProfile TestProfile -FilePath C:\temp\ESXi-8.0U3d-24585383-custom.zip -ExportToBundle -Force

OR

• Create a custom ISO using the image profile created

PS C:\> Export-EsxImageProfile -ImageProfile TestProfile -FilePath c:\temp\ESXi-8.0U3d-24585383-custom.iso -ExportToIso -Force

OPTIONAL

• If you want to remove a software package use the “Remove-EsxSoftwarePackage” cmdlets 

PS C:\> Remove-EsxSoftwarePackage -ImageProfile TestProfile -SoftwarePackage igbn

Additional Information

Create Custom ISO using Image Builder with vSphere Client

Steps involved

    Enable Auto Deploy and Image Builder
    Create Custom Depot
    Import offline bundles ( ESXi updates, patches, ESXi and third-party Drivers etc )
    Clone the Profile to Custom Depot
    Export the Custom Depot
    Download the Custom ISO