To download the HPE Custom Image for VMware ESXi 7.0, you must now use the Broadcom Support Portal, as the previous VMware Customer Connect site has been retired. Broadcom does not allow direct deep links to specific ISO files, so you must follow a manual navigation path. Step-by-Step Download Instructions
Access the Portal: Open the Broadcom Support Portal and log in with your registered credentials. Navigate to Downloads:
Click the Username drop-down in the top right and select VMware Cloud Foundation. Click My Downloads on the left-hand menu.
Search for vSphere: Type "VMware vSphere" in the search bar and select the product you are entitled to (e.g., VMware vSphere - Enterprise).
Filter for Version 7.0: Select 7.0 from the major version drop-down list. Select Custom ISOs: Click the Custom ISOs tab. Locate the HPE Custom Image for ESXi 7.0 (e.g., Update 3). Click the download icon next to the desired ISO installer. Critical Compatibility Notes VMware ESXi Images for HPE Servers | HPE Taiwan
To download the VMware ESXi 7.0 HPE Custom Image , you must use the Broadcom Support Portal
, which now hosts all VMware downloads following Broadcom's acquisition. Step-by-Step Download Guide Access the Portal : Navigate to the Broadcom Support Portal Register/Log In
: You must have a registered account with an active software entitlement to view and download these files. Navigate to Downloads Click the dropdown next to your username and select VMware Cloud Foundation On the left-hand menu, select My Downloads Search for vSphere VMware vSphere in the search bar. Select your entitled version (e.g., VMware vSphere - Enterprise Locate Custom Images Select the major version from the dropdown. Custom ISOs tab at the top of the product list. Filter and Download Search for in the filter or search box. Find the desired version (e.g., HPE Custom Image for ESXi 7.0 Update 3 ) and click the download link. Accept the Broadcom EULA to start the download. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Key Technical Details
: The HPE custom image includes pre-integrated drivers for network and storage controllers specifically for HPE ProLiant Superdome Flex Critical Dependencies
: Using the generic VMware ISO on newer Gen9, Gen10, or Gen11 servers may lead to failed installations because the base image lacks necessary storage and network drivers. Management Integration : These images include HPE Agentless Management Service (AMS) Smart Update Tool (iSUT) , enabling better hardware monitoring through HPE iLO. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Alternative: HPE vibsdepot VMware ESXi Images for HPE Servers
The official way to download the VMware ESXi 7.0 HPE Custom Image ISO is through the Broadcom Support Portal, as the previous VMware Customer Connect site has been decommissioned. Download Instructions
Because the new portal structure does not support direct deep links to specific ISOs, you must follow these steps to locate the correct file:
Access the Portal: Go to the Broadcom Support Portal and log in with your registered credentials.
Navigate to Downloads: Select VMware Cloud Foundation from the dropdown menu next to your username.
Search for vSphere: Use the left-side menu to click My Downloads and search for "VMware vSphere".
Select Entitlement: Choose the specific vSpg., VMware vSphere - Enterprise).
Locate Version 7.0: Select 7.0 from the major version dropdown.
Find Custom ISOs: Click on the Custom ISOs tab. Look for "HPE Custom Image for ESXi 7.0" and click the download icon for the latest available build. Image Technical Details (Example Build)
While specific build numbers change with patches, common recent stable versions for ESXi 7.0 include: vmware esxi 7 download iso hpe custom image
Filename Example: VMware-ESXi-7.0.3-21424296-HPE-703.0.0.11.3.0.5-Apr2023.iso. Release Date: April 2023. Size: Approximately 418 MB. Why Use the HPE Custom Image?
Driver Compatibility: Includes critical drivers for HPE-specific network and storage controllers not found in the standard VMware ISO.
Management Tools: Pre-installed with HPE-specific management software and agents for health monitoring.
Optimization: Seamlessly integrates with HPE Intelligent Provisioning for automated server setup. Reference Links
HPE VMware Support & Certification Matrix: Verify server compatibility before installation.
HPE vibsdepot: Access individual drivers or offline bundles if you prefer patching an existing installation.
HPE Custom Image for ESXi 7.0 Update 3 — апрель 2023
This essay explores the purpose, benefits, and installation process of the VMware ESXi 7.0 HPE Custom Image, a specialized version of the hypervisor designed specifically for HPE ProLiant servers. The Logic of Custom Images
While the standard VMware ESXi ISO contains a broad set of drivers for various hardware, it often lacks the specific, high-performance drivers and management tools required to get the most out of enterprise-grade hardware. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) collaborates with VMware to bridge this gap.
The HPE Custom Image is essentially a "golden image" that bundles the base ESXi 7.0 code with HPE-specific VIBs (VMware Installation Bundles). These bundles include:
Device Drivers: Optimized drivers for HPE Smart Array controllers, network interface cards (NICs), and Fibre Channel adapters.
Management Providers: Software that allows the server to communicate hardware health data (like fan speed or disk failure) directly to the vSphere client.
Agentless Management: Integration with HPE’s Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) to ensure the OS and hardware are in sync. Why Choose the HPE Custom Image over the Standard ISO?
Using the generic VMware ISO on a ProLiant server is possible, but it often leads to "PSODs" (Purple Screen of Death) or missing hardware sensors. By using the HPE Custom Image, administrators gain:
Stability: Drivers are pre-tested and validated by HPE engineers specifically for ProLiant firmware versions.
Monitoring: Without the custom image, vSphere may show "Unknown" status for critical components like power supplies or RAID arrays.
Performance: Optimized drivers reduce latency and overhead, particularly for storage-intensive workloads. The Download Process
To obtain the ISO, you must navigate the Broadcom Support Portal (following Broadcom's acquisition of VMware). Previously, these were hosted on the VMware Customer Connect site, but they have since transitioned to the Broadcom ecosystem. To download the HPE Custom Image for VMware ESXi 7
Access the Portal: Users must log in to the Broadcom Support Portal with an active entitlement.
Navigate to Downloads: Search for "VMware vSphere" and select version 7.0.
Custom ISOs Tab: Look for a specific tab labeled "Custom ISOs" or "OEM Custom ISOs."
HPE Selection: From the list of vendors (Dell, Lenovo, etc.), select Hewlett Packard Enterprise.
Build Selection: Choose the specific update (e.g., 7.0 U3) that matches your hardware's Recipe Card, which is HPE's documentation linking firmware versions to driver versions. Installation and Best Practices
Once the ISO is downloaded, it is typically mapped via the iLO Remote Console as virtual media. Before proceeding with the installation of ESXi 7.0, it is vital to perform two tasks:
Check the SPP (Service Pack for ProLiant): Ensure your server's firmware is updated to a version compatible with the ESXi 7.0 custom image.
Verify Boot Media: VMware 7.0 has increased requirements for boot media endurance; using high-quality SD cards or M.2 SSDs (like the HPE NS204i-u) is recommended over generic USB drives. Conclusion
The VMware ESXi 7 HPE Custom Image is an essential tool for any administrator running a vSphere environment on HPE hardware. It simplifies the deployment process by eliminating the need to manually inject drivers and ensures that the server remains visible, manageable, and stable within the data center. By aligning the software stack with the hardware's specific capabilities, organizations can maximize their return on investment in ProLiant technology.
Are you planning to perform a fresh installation on a new server, or are you looking to upgrade an existing ESXi 6.7 host?
The process for downloading the VMware ESXi 7.0 HPE Custom Image has changed significantly due to Broadcom's acquisition of VMware. As of April 2026, the old VMware Customer Connect site is gone, and all official custom ISOs are hosted on the Broadcom Support Portal. The "Story" of the New Download Process
Finding the HPE custom ISO now requires navigating a multi-step entitlement system rather than using a direct link. Unlike the standard ESXi ISOs, which often require a paid support contract, manufacturer-customized versions (like HPE) can sometimes be accessed through specific tabs once you are registered. Step-by-Step Retrieval Guide:
Register & Access: You must create or log into a Broadcom account at the Broadcom Support Portal.
Select the Division: Click the dropdown next to your username and select VMware Cloud Foundation.
Find vSphere: On the left menu, click My Downloads and search for "VMware vSphere".
Choose Your Entitlement: Select the version you are entitled to (e.g., VMware vSphere Enterprise) and then select Release 7.0.
Locate Custom ISOs: Switch from the "Products" tab to the Custom ISOs tab.
Search for HPE: Filter or search for "HPE" to find the specific image, such as the HPE Custom Image for ESXi 7.0 Update 3. Why Use the HPE Custom Image? Part 2: Benefits of Using the HPE Customized
Using the HPE-specific ISO is critical for stability and successful installation on HPE servers.
Driver Integration: Includes network and storage controller drivers (especially for Gen9, Gen10, and Gen11 servers) not found in the generic VMware image.
Management Tools: Pre-installs the HPE Agentless Management Service (AMS) and iLO drivers, allowing for better hardware monitoring through the vSphere client.
End-of-Life Note: Be aware that General Support for ESXi 7.0 officially ended in October 2025. While you can still download the images, they no longer receive active bug fixes or security patches from VMware. Important Alternatives
If you cannot find a specific version on Broadcom's portal, HPE sometimes provides Custom Addons. These are ZIP files used with the standard ESXi ISO via the vSphere Lifecycle Manager (vLCM) to add HPE drivers to a generic installation.
For older legacy hardware like ProLiant Gen9, some users still rely on archived versions on the HPE Support Center for older patches, though newer releases are pushed to Broadcom.
Here’s a solid, critical review of the process and considerations when looking for the VMware ESXi 7.x HPE custom ISO download.
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.
The image also handles the "Minor" nuances correctly—like proper NUMA awareness
Here’s a concise, actionable write-up for downloading the VMware ESXi 7.x HPE Custom Image ISO.
| Feature | Vanilla VMware ISO | HPE Custom ISO |
|---------|--------------------|----------------|
| Driver support | Generic | Optimized for HPE Smart Array, Broadcom, Mellanox |
| Hardware monitoring | Basic | Full iLO integration (temperature, power, fans) |
| CLI tools | Standard esxcli | HPE-specific commands (hpssacli, ssacli) |
| vSphere Lifecycle Manager | Manual driver injection | Native support with HPE Add-on |
| Security | VMware defaults | HPE Secure Boot & firmware validation |
| Support | VMware only | VMware + HPE (no "finger-pointing") |
If you run production workloads, the HPE custom image is not optional—it’s the only supported configuration by both vendors.
Before downloading, verify that your server hardware supports ESXi 7.0.
Note: Always consult the HPE SimpliVity and VMware ESXi Compatibility Matrix or the VMware Compatibility Guide (VCG) before proceeding.
Cause: Memory timing conflict with iLO management.
Workaround: In BIOS, disable "Memory Patrol Scrubbing" or upgrade to ESXi 7.0 U3c minimum.
Enter your specific server model (e.g., "HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10").
Navigate to: HPE Support Center → Drivers & Software