Here’s a step-by-step guide to downloading the VMware ESXi 6.7 Update 3 (U3) HPE custom image.
HPE’s custom image includes:
hpvsa, hpsa, iLO, smartpqi)amsd, hptestevent)Navigating the HPE and VMware websites for this specific image is non-trivial due to paywalls and redirected links. There are two official routes, one requiring an active contract:
Route A: HPE Support Center (Requires entitlement)
HPE Support Center > Software Depot > Servers > ProLiant > ESXi.VMware-ESXi-6.7.0-Update3-...-HPE-...-Gen9plus.iso
Route B: VMware Customer Connect (Recommended for active SNS)
my.vmware.com.HPE_ Custom_ Image_ Installer_ CD_ 6.7.0- XXXX. Verify the checksum (SHA256) against HPE’s published values.The Unofficial Warning: Third-party sites (techspot, softpedia) often host stale builds. The unique build number for the final HPE 6.7U3 image is 6.7.0-19195723. Any other build lacks the final Spectre v2 microcode mitigations.
.zip instead.HPE-ESXi-6.7.0-...-depot.zip file on the same download page as the ISO.In the lifecycle of enterprise virtualization, few combinations have achieved the stability, maturity, and widespread adoption of VMware vSphere 6.7 Update 3 running on Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) ProLiant servers. While both VMware and HPE have since moved on to version 7.x and 8.x, ESXi 6.7 U3 represents a high-water mark for long-term stability (General Support ended in October 2022, but Technical Guidance persists). The phrase "vmware esxi 6.7 u3 hpe custom image download" is not merely a technical instruction; it is a precise operational ritual required to ensure hardware-software symbiosis. This essay dissects the why, what, where, and how of this specific image, addressing the technical depth required for a production deployment.
The datacenter hummed like a calm, tireless ocean. Racks of hardware loomed under cool blue LEDs, and in Rack 7, Slot B, a pair of ProLiant blades sat like patient workhorses waiting for orders. Maya rubbed her temples, staring at the deployment checklist on her laptop: “ESXi 6.7 U3 — HPE custom image.” It read simple, but she’d learned the hard way that “simple” often hid small but costly traps.
She remembered why the HPE custom image mattered. VMware’s vanilla ESXi is fast and lean, but server vendors bundle firmware-linked drivers, CIM providers, and management agents that let iLO, OneView, and firmware-update tools talk to the hypervisor properly. For HPE servers, the custom image ensured stable drivers for Broadcom NICs, HPE SmartArray controllers, and that the latest vendor-signed modules would load at boot. Running a generic image on production blades was like fitting off-the-shelf tires on a race car — they might work, but you risk slipping on the first turn. vmware esxi 6.7 u3 hpe custom image download
Maya opened a new tab and typed the query that had kept her awake the past two nights: “vmware esxi 6.7 u3 hpe custom image download.” Her goal was clear: find the correct custom ISO, validate checksums, and stage an installer USB. She’d learned to treat downloads as small missions — locate the vendor-stamped artifact, confirm its integrity, and document every step for her team.
Example: Finding the Right Build
She found the HPE-custom ISO marked for 6.7 U3. The filename promised vendor-signed modules: HPE’s management agents, iLO drivers, and firmware-aware drivers. Her relief was brief; the discipline she respected required verification.
Example: Verifying Integrity
sha256sum HPE-ESXi-6.7U3-custom.iso
With a verified ISO, Maya prepared a USB installer using a reliable tool (Rufus on Windows, or dd on Linux). She labeled the stick physically — “ESXi_6.7U3_HPE_Custom_v1.2” — because small, clear labels saved future headaches when several USB sticks lived in the ops drawer.
Example: Creating Installer USB (Linux)
sudo dd if=HPE-ESXi-6.7U3-custom.iso of=/dev/sdb bs=4M status=progress && sync
On install day, the blades booted to the HPE-custom installer. The installation menu proudly displayed vendor modules loaded during initialization — a quiet confirmation that the right image was running. Post-install, she installed the HPE management bundle so OneView and Active Health System could report firmware and hardware status to the team.
Example: Post-Install Steps
esxcli software vib install -d /tmp/hpe-offline-bundle.zip
Maya documented every step into the runbook: URL used to download, ISO checksum, USB creation command, installation notes, and post-install verifications. This wasn’t just bureaucracy — it was insurance. A future engineer following her trail could reproduce the environment and avoid the guesswork she’d already paid for. Here’s a step-by-step guide to downloading the VMware
Her final test was simple: migrate a test VM between two hosts running the HPE-custom image. vMotion proceeded cleanly. The storage controller’s SMART telemetry surfaced in the vendor tools. The hum of the datacenter felt steadier by a fraction.
In the end, the quest for “vmware esxi 6.7 u3 hpe custom image download” was more than finding a file — it was about ensuring compatibility, integrity, and operational clarity. For Maya, success meant predictable behavior under load and a runbook that turned a one-person triumph into a team asset. She pushed the runbook to the repo, typed a short note on Slack, and watched as the deployment anxiety in the room dissolved into the steady click of keyboards: the fleet was healthy, the image verified, and tomorrow’s maintenance would follow a clean, repeatable path.
The HPE Customized Image for VMware ESXi 6.7 Update 3 is essential for installing ESXi on supported HPE ProLiant and Synergy servers, as it includes critical drivers and management software not found in the standard VMware image. Download Process
Following Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware, direct download links are no longer available. You must access the image through the Broadcom Support Portal.
Login/Register: Access the Broadcom Support Portal and log in with your registered account. Navigation:
Select VMware Cloud Foundation from the dropdown near your username. Go to My Downloads on the left menu. Search for VMware vSphere and select it. Filter for Image:
Choose your entitlement (e.g., Enterprise Plus) and select major version 6.7. Click the Custom ISOs or OEM Addons tab.
Search for "HPE" to find the HPE Custom Image for ESXi 6.7.0 Update 3.
Verification: The base OS image for this release is typically vSphere 6.7 U3 Build 14320388. Included Components Why Use the HPE Custom Image
This custom image integrates several HPE-specific tools and drivers to ensure hardware compatibility and management:
Management Tools: HPE iLO Driver, Agentless Management Service (AMS), and HPE CIM Providers.
Utilities: SSACLI (Smart Storage Administrator), HPONCFG, BOOTCFG, and the Integrated Smart Update Tool (iSUT).
Storage Drivers: Critical for boot controllers; for Gen9 servers, a minimum nhpsa driver (2.0.44-1) is required for vSAN certification. Hardware Compatibility
Supported Servers: Targeted at HPE Gen9, Gen10, and Gen10 Plus ProLiant servers.
Unsupported: This image is generally not supported on HPE Blades.
Verification: Before downloading, verify your specific hardware on the HPE Server Support Matrix. Installation/Upgrade Tips Where to download esxi images | VMware vSphere
Here is the official and most relevant resource for downloading the VMware ESXi 6.7 Update 3 HPE Custom Image, along with key notes regarding its availability.
Before diving into the download process, it is critical to understand why you should avoid the standard "vanilla" ESXi ISO from VMware for your HPE hardware.
The HPE Custom Image is a pre-bundled ISO containing:
hp-ams (Agent Management Service) and hp-smx-provider (Storage Management).hpe-bootcfg, hpe-ssacli, and scsi-hpsa.Consequences of using the Vanilla ISO on HPE servers:
