CustomESXiImage.md

Creating a custom ESXi install ISO for HPE gen7 servers

Avoids broken smx driver that is present in the HPE 6.5 U3 image.

All below powershell commands must be run in a VMWare PowerCLI (version 6.5) session

1. Download the HPE PreGen9 Custom Image for ESXi 6.5 U3 Offline Bundle from https://customerconnect.vmware.com/downloads/details?downloadGroup=OEM-ESXI65U3-HPE&productId=614

2. Download the smx provider:
   wget https://vibsdepot.hpe.com/sdx/downloads/nov2016/gen9v4/esxi-600-vibs/hpe-smx-provider/hpe-smx-provider-600.03.11.00.9-2768847.vib

3. Add the original 6.5 iso as a depot:
   Add-EsxSoftwareDepot -DepotUrl .\VMware-ESXi-6.5.0-Update3-14990892-HPE-preGen9-650.U3.9.6.10.1-Dec2019-depot.zip

4. Create a new profile, using vendor "HPE Custom" when asked:
   New-EsxImageProfile -CloneProfile HPE-ESXi-6.5.0-Update3-preGen9* -Name "HPE-G7-ESXi"

5. remove the old ("new") and broken smx driver:
   Remove-EsxSoftwarePackage HPE-G7-ESXi hpe-smx-provider

6. Add the older, working smx driver to the session:
   Get-EsxSoftwarePackage -PackageUrl .\hpe-smx-provider-600.03.11.00.9-2768847.vib

7. Add the working smx driver to the profile: Add-EsxSoftwarePackage -ImageProfile HPE-G7-ESXi -SoftwarePackage "hpe-smx-provider 600.03.11.00.9-2768847"

8. Create an ISO:
   Export-EsxImageProfile -ImageProfile HPE-G7-ESXi -ExportToIso -filepath .\HPE-G7-ESXi.iso