Dell Customized ISO images are optimized distributions of VMware vSphere ESXi [1, 2]. They include specific drivers, firmware, and management tools for Dell PowerEdge servers [1, 2]. Using the customized image ensures hardware compatibility, system stability, and access to Dell OpenManage utilities [1, 2].
Accessing these images requires a registered account and an active vSphere entitlement. Broadcom support portal : Access the Broadcom Support Portal with your registered credentials. Select Product : Use the dropdown menu next to your name and select VMware Cloud Foundation Navigate to Downloads : Click on My Downloads in the left-hand menu. Search Product : Search for VMware vSphere
| Feature | Vanilla ISO | Dell Customized ISO | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | PERC RAID Support | Basic | Full with advanced monitoring | | Fan noise control | Often runs fans at 100% | Proper PWM control via iDRAC | | Hardware alerts | Limited | Full SNMP traps to OpenManage | | Installation on BOSS-S2 card | May fail | Native support | vmware esxi 8 dell customized iso download
Log in with your Broadcom/VMware account. (If you don’t have one, create one—it is free for downloads, though a license is required for production).
Since May 2024, there has been a significant change in where you can find Dell's customized images. Older versions remain on Dell’s website, but the latest revisions are hosted on Broadcom's support portal. Below are the two methods for each scenario. Dell Customized ISO images are optimized distributions of
Broadcom’s portal is notorious for session caching bugs; clear your browser cache before starting. Step-by-Step Guide: Download ESXi 8 Dell ISO
If you already have a PowerEdge server running an older version of ESXi 8 (for example, 8.0 U2) and want to upgrade to a newer Dell customized image (like 8.0 U3), you can perform a CLI‑based upgrade remotely while preserving Dell drivers. Accessing these images requires a registered account and
For some legacy blade servers, community workarounds exist (such as manually copying driver files from an ESXi 7 installation), but these should only be used in test environments.
Click Download . Depending on the current lifecycle agreement, this will either download the file directly or redirect you to the authenticated Broadcom portal with the correct file path. Verifying the Download (Checksum)