Create a Custom ESXi ISO Image along with vendor Add-on Using vSphere Lifecycle Manager

In case Custom Image with required build and version not available from Server Hardware OEM, you can create a custom ESXi ISO that incorporates vendor add-ons (such as those from HPE, Dell, Cisco, etc.) even if the specific ESXi build or version you're targeting hasn't been released by the hardware OEM yet. This approach allows you to leverage the latest security patches while still benefiting from the vendor-specific enhancements.

1. Import ESXi Patch and Vendor Add-on to vLCM Depot

Prerequisites:

• Ensure you have the necessary privileges.

• Obtain the correct versions of ESXi offline bundle depot zip file and vendor add-on zip file from Broadcom download portal.

Steps:

1. Log in to the vSphere Client.

2. Navigate to Menu > Lifecycle Manager.

3. Go to the Image Depot tab.

4. Click Actions > Import Updates.

5. In the Import Updates dialog:

   • Click Browse and select the ESXi patch ZIP file.

   • Click Browse again and select the vendor add-on ZIP file 

   • Click OK 

Note: Ensure the ZIP files are compatible with your vSphere version.

Click lifecycle manager on below page:

Then after selecting image Depot click on action menu and then click on Import Updates, repeat this task for ESXi Depot zip file and then Vendor Add-on zip file as per your Hardware.

2. Create Temporary Cluster with Single Image Management

1. In the vSphere Client, navigate to Menu > Hosts and Clusters.

2. Right-click on the datacenter and select New Cluster.

3. Enter a name for the cluster (e.g., Temp-Custom-ISO-Cluster).

4. Check the box "Manage all hosts in the cluster with a single image".

5. Under chose how to setup custom image - Compose a new image like below:

Click Next and then choose the ESXi version and add-on along with correct version which you imported in Task 1:

Click Next and then Finish.

This will create a new cluster with Image as per tour ESXi Version Build along with Vendor Add-on.

Select cluster in the left pane under Host and Cluster Menu and then click on updates tab:

On this page in the top right corner click on three dots and then choose Export :

Below page select ISO and click on Export, make sure there is no pop-up blocker. if so accept and then you can retry the same.

This will download the ISO file which will have ESXi version along with Vendor-On.

3. Delete Temporary Cluster

1. In the vSphere Client, navigate to Menu > Hosts and Clusters.

2. Right-click on Cluster you created in above step (e.g., Temp-Custom-ISO-Cluster). and delete the same.

More details: https://techdocs.broadcom.com/us/en/vmware-cis/vcf/vcf-5-2-and-earlier/5-2/create-a-custom-esxi-iso-image-using-vsphere-lifecycle-manager.html