The HPE Custom Image for ESXi is an ISO image created jointly by HPE and VMware. Unlike the standard VMware ISO, the HPE custom image includes:
An HPE Custom Image is not a modified version of the ESXi kernel. It is a curated bundle containing the vanilla VMware ESXi base image along with specific HPE software packages known as vSphere Installation Bundles (VIBs) or vSphere Component packages. Component Breakdown
esxcli system coredump partition list
Before patching, always verify compatibility using the VMware Compatibility Guide and the HPE VMware Support Matrix to ensure your hardware generation supports the target ESXi version.
When VMware releases a critical patch or an Express Patch for ESXi, it addresses the core hypervisor code. HPE, on the other hand, releases updated custom images on a slower cadence, typically aligning with major VMware updates or refreshing their driver bundles quarterly. hpe custom image for esxi patched
What (e.g., 7.0, 8.0) are you targeting?
There are two primary methods to apply patches to an ESXi host running an HPE custom image: utilizing VMware vSphere Lifecycle Manager (vLCM) or manually compiling a patched image via the Command Line Interface (CLI). Method 1: vSphere Lifecycle Manager (Recommended) The HPE Custom Image for ESXi is an
Now you will use PowerCLI to merge the base image and the HPE patches into a new, custom image profile.