Following VMware's acquisition by Broadcom, the download ecosystem transitioned. The Broadcom Support Portal is now the primary destination for custom hypervisor images.
Once downloaded, you can install the OS using the server's remote management interface. Method A: Mapping via Cisco IMC (Standalone C-Series)
: It includes the latest Cisco-certified drivers (e.g., VIC Ethernet and Storage drivers like enic and fnic ) that are not present in the standard VMware base image.
This separation is powerful for lifecycle management. Instead of waiting for a new Custom ISO every time, you can use to:
Compare the checksum of your downloaded file against the hash provided on the Broadcom or Cisco download page. vmware esxi cisco custom iso top download
A: For an M4 lab server, the top stable download is ESXi 7.0 Update 3o (custom Cisco build #22348816). ESXi 8.0 does not officially support M4 CPUs (Haswell/Broadwell).
The official download for has moved from the legacy VMware site to the Broadcom Support Portal . You no longer download these directly from Cisco’s public software page; instead, they are hosted as part of your vSphere entitlements. 📥 Where to Download
Are you performing a or an upgrade on existing hosts? Share public link
Log into UCS Manager (UCSM) or Cisco Intersight and note your current infrastructure bundle version (e.g., 4.3(2b)). Method A: Mapping via Cisco IMC (Standalone C-Series)
Outdated or generic drivers can cause critical kernel panics under heavy workloads.
Broadcom no longer hosts these; they must be sourced directly from Cisco or Cisco Intersight. Log in to the Broadcom Support Portal. Navigate to My Downloads > VMware vSphere . Select your major version (e.g., 8.0). Click on the Custom ISOs tab at the top of the list.
First, you need to know the exact version of ESXi you plan to install. Cisco provides custom images for a wide range of versions, from legacy ones like 5.1 to current releases like 7.x and 8.x.
Press during the Cisco boot splash screen to enter the Boot Selection Menu. Choose the Cisco Virtual CD/DVD as the primary boot device. A: For an M4 lab server, the top stable download is ESXi 7
Use the Cisco Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) tool online.
: Click the download icon for the latest Cisco custom image for your specific server hardware (e.g., UCS C-Series). Why use the Cisco Custom ISO?
As a general rule of thumb for Cisco UCS B-Series (Blades) and C-Series (Rackmounts):
: Download the latest Cisco Add-on drivers from Cisco Product Support. Step 2 : Import these drivers into the vLCM Software Depot .
: Locate the "Cisco Custom Image for ESXi" entry and click to see available sub-versions. Broadcom Community Alternative: Creating a Custom ISO
