Vmware Esxi 70 Update 3 Hpe Customized: Iso Image Download Top

Use VMware Customer Connect (with VMware account) → search for “HPE” → but HPE’s site always has the latest HPE-tested version.

HPE Customized ISO for VMware ESXi 7.0 Update 3 is designed specifically to simplify the deployment of ESXi on Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) servers by integrating essential drivers and management tools not found in the generic VMware image. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Key Integrated Features

The customized image includes several HPE-specific components to ensure hardware compatibility and management efficiency: Integrated Drivers

: Includes VMware IOVP-certified drivers for new network and storage controllers found in Gen9, Gen10, and Gen11 servers. HPE Management Tools Agentless Management Service (AMS) : Supports Active Health and Agentless Management. iLO Driver

: Enables communication with the Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) management processor. SSACLI Utility

: A command-line tool for managing Smart Storage Administrator tasks. HPE Integrated Smart Update Tool (iSUT)

: Facilitates firmware and driver updates directly through the iLO repository. UEFI Platform Support : Fully supports modern UEFI boot environments. Upgrade Component : Includes hpe-upgrade-component

to assist in moving from ESXi 6.x HPE images to version 7.0. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Critical Changes & Lifecycle Notes Retired Utilities

: Starting with images after July 2022, older utilities like HPONCFG, BOOTCFG, and CONREP

have been retired. Their functionality is now handled by the HPE iLO RESTful API Tool Custom Image Identifier Use VMware Customer Connect (with VMware account) →

: The OEM build VIB is no longer used as the identifier; it has been replaced by the Custom Image Profile Name Hardware Support Limitations

: Newer 7.0 U3 customized images (post-July 2022) do not officially support HPE Blades HPE Gen9 and earlier servers. Gen9 users are often directed to the archived Hewlett Packard Enterprise Download Information VMware ESXi Images for HPE Servers | HPE EUROPE

The official HPE Customized ISO for VMware ESXi 7.0 Update 3 can be downloaded via the Broadcom Support Portal. Due to the transition from VMware Customer Connect to Broadcom, direct links to specific ISO files are no longer available, and users must navigate through their entitled account to access them.  Download Instructions 

To obtain the correct image for your HPE hardware, follow these steps on the Broadcom Support Portal:  Register/Log In: Sign in with your registered credentials.

Navigate to Downloads: Select VMware Cloud Foundation from the dropdown menu next to your username.

Search for vSphere: Click My Downloads on the left menu and search for "VMware vSphere" in the top-right search bar.

Select Version & Entitlement: Choose your specific entitlement (e.g., VMware vSphere - Enterprise) and select the 7.0 major version.

Access Custom ISOs: Click the Custom ISOs tab. Locate the entry for the HPE Custom Image for ESXi 7.0U3 and click the download icon.  Key Features of the HPE Customized Image 

Using the HPE-specific ISO is recommended for ProLiant, Synergy, and Superdome Flex servers as it integrates essential drivers and management tools not found in the standard VMware image:  If you’re running HPE ProLiant servers, you already

HPE Management Tools: Includes UEFI platform support, HPE iLO drivers, and the Agentless Management Service (AMS).

Storage & Network Drivers: Integrated drivers for HPE Smart Array and various network controllers required for successful installation on Gen9, Gen10, and Gen11 hardware.

Firmware Support: Includes the HPE Integrated Smart Update Tool (iSUT) to facilitate firmware updates via the iLO repository.  Important Version Notes  VMware ESXi Images for HPE Servers | HPE

The HPE Customized ISO image for VMware ESXi 7.0 Update 3 is essential for ProLiant server users to ensure full hardware compatibility, including critical RAID controller and network interface drivers. Since Broadcom's acquisition of VMware, these images are now hosted on the Broadcom Support Portal, replacing the former VMware Customer Connect site. Where to Download the Latest HPE Customized ISO

While direct links are no longer available due to portal architecture, you can find the most recent versions (such as the April 2023 or May 2024 releases) by following specific steps on the Broadcom Support Portal.

Standard ProLiant Servers: Use the latest custom image for Gen10 and Gen11 servers for full testing and support.

HPE Synergy Servers: Dedicated custom images and addons are released specifically for Synergy Gen10 hardware.

Legacy Hardware (Gen9 and earlier): The July 2022 image is often cited as the last fully tested version for Gen9 ProLiant servers. Step-by-Step Download Instructions To download the HPE Customized ISO from the new portal: HPE Custom Image for VMware vSphere 7.0 Update 3

This report covers the current availability status, download locations, critical considerations regarding the HPE/Vmware partnership split, and installation best practices. If you’re running HPE ProLiant servers

If you’re running HPE ProLiant servers, you already know: never run vanilla VMware ESXi. The HPE customized image includes critical drivers (smartpqi, i40en, nmlx5_core), management agents, and the all-important HPE Add-on for vLCM.

With ESXi 7.0 Update 3 still being a stable production workhorse, finding the correct HPE ISO can be surprisingly tricky—especially after Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware. Let me walk you through exactly where to get it.

VMware ESXi 7.0 Update 3 had several critical patch releases (U3, U3a, U3b, U3c, etc.).

As of the Broadcom acquisition of VMware (late 2023/early 2024), the distribution model for vendor-specific ISOs (such as HPE) has undergone significant changes. Historically, HPE provided a customized ISO that included drivers for Smart Array controllers, NICs, and HPE-specific management tools.

Current Status: HPE has moved its customized ISO distribution to the HPE Support Center. While VMware offers generic ISOs, using the HPE-specific image is critical for ProLiant servers to ensure the correct storage controller drivers (Smart Array) and networking drivers are present during installation.

By: Virtualization Insights Team

In the world of enterprise virtualization, the combination of VMware vSphere and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) server hardware is a gold standard. However, running a generic VMware ISO on HPE ProLiant servers is like putting regular fuel in a race car—it works, but you are missing out on optimized performance, drivers, and firmware management.

If you have searched for the phrase “vmware esxi 70 update 3 hpe customized iso image download top” , you are likely an IT administrator looking for the most stable, high-performance, and secure hypervisor for your HPE environment. You want the “top” build—not just the latest, but the most reliable.

This article provides a definitive guide to finding, downloading, validating, and installing the VMware ESXi 7.0 Update 3 HPE Customized ISO. We will cover why you need the custom image, where to find the top official sources, and how to avoid common pitfalls.