If you already run HPE ESXi 6.x on Gen9/Gen10:
Because the drivers are compiled by HPE engineers specifically for the ProLiant architecture, the stability is rock solid. In my testing on Gen10 hardware, the boot time was noticeably snappier than a custom-compiled vanilla ISO.
: Click My Downloads on the left menu and use the search bar to find VMware vSphere .
: You must have a registered account to access downloads. Log in with your credentials Broadcom support portal Navigate to Downloads On the left-hand menu, click My Downloads Broadcom support portal Search for VMware vSphere in the search bar Hewlett Packard Enterprise Select Your Entitlement Choose the version you are entitled to (e.g., VMware vSphere – Enterprise Hewlett Packard Enterprise Select the major version from the dropdown list Hewlett Packard Enterprise Locate Custom ISOs Click on the Custom ISOs tab (instead of the standard "Product Downloads" tab) Hewlett Packard Enterprise Type "HPE" in the search filter to narrow down the list Hewlett Packard Enterprise Download the ISO : Find the specific version you need (e.g., ESXi 7.0 Update 3 ) and click the download icon Hewlett Packard Enterprise Why Use the HPE Custom Image? Integrated Drivers vmware esxi 7 download iso hpe custom image
Expected output includes:
: Injects drivers for high-bandwidth Broadcom, Intel, and Marvell chipsets. Step-by-Step: How to Download the HPE Custom ESXi 7 ISO
Crucial Tip: Always check the compatibility matrix. Ensure that your server's firmware (iLO, BIOS, RAID controller) matches the recipe version recommended for the specific ESXi 7.0 Update ISO you download. Verifying the Download Integrity If you already run HPE ESXi 6
VMware-ESXi-7.0.3-20328353-HPE-703.0.0.10.4.18.iso
HPE custom image may be too old for your NIC (e.g., Broadcom BCM57416 in a Gen10 Plus). Solution: Download the latest HPE custom ISO (U3c or newer) or inject the async driver using VMware Image Builder.
If you manage Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) ProLiant servers, you already know that reliability is non-negotiable. When virtualizing your data center with VMware vSphere 7, the default vanilla ISO from VMware might work—but it will cost you hours of troubleshooting, missing drivers, and unsupported hardware components. : You must have a registered account to access downloads
The image also handles the "Minor" nuances correctly—like proper NUMA awareness
[HPE Custom ISO] ──> Choose Method ──> [iLO Virtual Media] ──> Boot & Install ──> [Rufus USB Drive] ──> Boot & Install Method 1: Using HPE iLO Virtual Media (Recommended)
Once downloaded, follow this general installation process. The specifics may vary slightly based on your server model and configuration.
Select and browse to the downloaded HPE Custom ESXi 7 ISO.