Vmware Esxi 7.0 Update 3 Hpe Customized Iso Image Download Official
Downloading the VMware ESXi 7.0 Update 3 HPE Customized ISO image is not just a bureaucratic step—it is a foundational best practice for stability, performance, and manageability. By following the steps in this guide, you ensure that your HPE ProLiant or Synergy servers receive the exact drivers and agents needed to integrate seamlessly with vSphere.
Remember: Always verify compatibility, use official HPE channels, and store the ISO safely for future redeployments.
Final checklist before deployment:
Updated as of September 2025 – For the latest ESXi 7.0 U3 patches, always refer to HPE Support Center.
Next Steps: If you found this article helpful, read our companion guide: "How to Install VMware ESXi 7.0 U3 HPE Customized Image via iLO 5 Virtual Media."
Downloading VMware ESXi 7.0 Update 3 HPE Customized ISO For administrators running HPE ProLiant or Synergy servers, using the HPE Customized ISO is the most reliable way to install or upgrade to ESXi 7.0 Update 3. These images include critical Hewlett Packard Enterprise drivers (such as the HPE iLO driver and SSACLI utility) that are not part of the standard VMware "vanilla" image. Official Download Location
Following the acquisition of VMware by Broadcom, the primary location to download these customized images has moved from the legacy VMware Customer Connect site to the Broadcom Support Portal.
Access the Portal: Log in to the Broadcom Support Portal using your registered credentials.
Navigate to Downloads: From the "My Downloads" section on the left sidebar, search for VMware vSphere.
Select Entitlements: Choose the version of vSphere you are entitled to (e.g., VMware vSphere – Enterprise) and select major version 7.0.
Find the HPE ISO: Click on the Custom ISOs tab. Use the search bar to locate the "HPE Custom Image for ESXi 7.0U3 Install CD".
Download: Select the desired version (e.g., the latest available release for May 2024 or February 2025) and click the download icon after accepting the EULA. Why Use the HPE Customized Image? VMware ESXi Images for HPE Servers | HPE
ESXi 7.0 U3—HPE Synergy only Nov 2024. From the Custom ISOs tab, locate and select the HPE Custom Image for ESXi 7.0U3 Install CD. Hewlett Packard Enterprise HPE Custom Image for VMware vSphere 7.0 Update 3
Here’s a short, narrative-style answer that explains not just where to find it, but the why behind the HPE custom image.
You’re staring at a server rack. In it, a ProLiant DL380 Gen10. You know vanilla VMware ESXi 7.0 works, but you’ve been burned before—missing drivers for the Smart Array controller, a NIC that drops packets every 48 hours, or a warning light that never turns green.
That’s why you’re typing: "vmware esxi 7.0 update 3 hpe customized iso image download."
The short answer: Go directly to HPE’s Support Center, not VMware’s site.
The story:
Once upon a time, you’d download the standard ESXi ISO from VMware. Then you’d spend hours slipstreaming drivers using PowerShell or the Image Builder. Then HPE released vmw-ESXi-7.0U3-19193900-HPE-703.0.0.10.6.7.8 (yes, that long number matters). It contains:
For ESXi 7.0 Update 3, the exact HPE custom image you want follows this pattern:
VMware-ESXi-7.0U3-<build>-HPE-<version>-<release>.ISO
Example filename (real from 2023/2024):
VMware-ESXi-7.0U3-20344453-HPE-703.0.0.10.9.0.6-October2024.iso
Where to find it today (2026 scenario):
If you no longer have an active support contract, check the HPE Software Depot (public) – but for Update 3, many ISOs have moved behind paywall or to Broadcom’s portal since the VMware acquisition.
Pro tip: Don’t grab the latest U3 image blindly. Check the HPE Support Matrix – some U3 builds have a known bug with NVMe hotplug on Gen10. HPE sometimes pulls and republishes ISOs quietly.
The ending: You download the 800 MB ISO, boot the server via iLO, install, and – for the first time – esxcli hardware platform get returns HPE ProLiant with all sensors reporting. No red lights. No missing vmnic.
That’s why you ask for the HPE customized image, not the generic one.
To download the VMware ESXi 7.0 Update 3 HPE Customized ISO, you must now use the Broadcom Support Portal, which replaced the legacy VMware Customer Connect site. This customized image is essential for HPE ProLiant, Synergy, and Superdome Flex servers because it includes integrated drivers for network and storage controllers that are not present in the generic VMware image. Download Instructions
Because Broadcom's architecture prevents direct deep-linking to specific files, you must follow these manual steps to locate the image:
Access the Portal: Open the Broadcom Support portal and log in with your registered account.
Navigate to Downloads: Select VMware Cloud Foundation from the dropdown next to your username, then click My Downloads on the left menu.
Search for vSphere: Use the search bar to find VMware vSphere and select the version you are entitled to (e.g., VMware vSphere Enterprise). Filter for Custom ISOs: Select the major version 7.0 from the dropdown.
Click the Custom ISOs tab (or OEM Addons if you only need the driver bundle).
Select the HPE Image: Locate the HPE Custom Image for ESXi 7.0U3 (often listed by specific release dates like Feb 2025 or Nov 2024 for Synergy) and click the download icon. Key Components Included
The HPE Customized Image (e.g., version 703.0.0.10.9.1) includes specialized management tools and drivers to ensure hardware stability: HPE iLO Drivers: For integrated lights-out management.
HPE Agentless Management Service (AMS): For health monitoring and Active Health System support.
HPE-Integrated Smart Update Tool (iSUT): Enables firmware and driver updates through the iLO repository.
SSACLI Utility: For managing storage controllers directly from the ESXi shell. Version & Compatibility Notes
Synergy Servers: These often require a specific "HPE Synergy Only" version of the ISO; verify your hardware against the HPE VMware Support and Certification Matrix before installing.
Upgrade Packs: If you are already running an older version of ESXi 7.0, you may prefer the VMware ESXi 7.0 U3 Upgrade Pack, which uses HPE Smart Update Manager (SUM) to deploy updates without a full reinstall.
Legacy Hardware: Certain older servers, like ProLiant Gen9, may require archived versions of the 7.0 U3 custom image (such as the July 2022 release). VMware ESXi Images for HPE Servers | HPE
The HPE Customized ISO Image for VMware ESXi 7.0 Update 3 is highly recommended for users running HPE ProLiant or Synergy servers, as it includes specific drivers and management tools that the standard VMware image lacks. Key Features & Benefits
Driver Integration: Includes certified drivers for HPE-specific network and storage controllers (e.g., Smart Array), which are essential for the installation to even "see" the local storage on many Gen9, Gen10, and Gen11 servers.
Management Tools: Pre-loaded with the HPE iLO Driver, HPE Agentless Management Service (AMS), and SSACLI Utility for robust server health monitoring and RAID management.
Firmware Synergy: Designed to work seamlessly with Hewlett Packard Enterprise Intelligent Provisioning and Service Pack for ProLiant (SPP) updates. Important Review Notes vmware esxi 7.0 update 3 hpe customized iso image download
Support Limitations: While it supports newer generations, certain specific images might drop support for older hardware like Gen9 or earlier; always check the specific HPE VMware ESXi 7.0 U3 documentation for "Retired Tools" warnings.
Identifying the Image: Starting with 7.0 U3, the "OEM-build vib" was removed. You must now use the Custom Image Profile Name as the identifier when managing hosts via vCenter Lifecycle Manager. How to Download
You can find these images on the official HPE Custom Image page or through the Broadcom Support Portal.
For IT administrators who want to know exactly what they are deploying, here is the component breakdown:
| Component | Vanilla ESXi 7.0 U3 | HPE Customized ESXi 7.0 U3 |
|------------|----------------------|-------------------------------|
| SCSI driver (lpfc, qlnative) | Generic | HPE-tuned with async versions |
| Management agents | None | hp-ams (Agent Management Service) |
| iLO cooperation | Basic | Enhanced hponcfg and hptestevent|
| VIBs added | N/A | hpe-esxi-fc, hpe-smx-provider, hpe-nmi |
| Boot time | Standard | +5 seconds (due to agent injection)|
HPE also includes a special VIBs directory for post-install driver additions.
After downloading, verify the integrity using the MD5/SHA256 checksum provided on the download page.
Example checksum command (Linux/macOS):
sha256sum VMware-ESXi-7.0U3-xxxxxx-HPE.iso
Compare the output with the value shown on the HPE site.
Follow these steps carefully to download the VMware ESXi 7.0 Update 3 HPE Customized ISO.
| Aspect | Detail |
|--------|--------|
| Supported HPE Servers | ProLiant Gen10, Gen10 Plus, Gen11 (check HPE Matrix) |
| Key Drivers Included | nmlx5-core (Mellanox), i40en (Intel 10GbE), lpfc (Emulex FC), smartpqi (storage) |
| Management Agents | HPE AMS, HPE iLO SNMP, HPE Storage FCD |
| Deprecation Notice | ESXi 7.0 U3 is the last release supporting legacy Gen9 servers (some drivers removed in later updates) |
| Problem | Solution | |---------|----------| | "Access denied" | Register for a free HPE Passport account and ensure your server serial number is linked. | | Slow download speed | Use a download manager or try during off-peak hours (early morning UTC). | | Wrong version (e.g., 7.0 U2) | Use the "Version History" or "Archive" link on the product page. |
Title: Where to download ESXi 7.0 U3 HPE custom ISO?
Post:
If you're running HPE ProLiant servers, grab the ESXi 7.0 Update 3 HPE customized ISO directly from HPE’s site (NOT from VMware's default portal) to avoid missing drivers.
🔗 Direct download steps:
Alternatively, from VMware Customer Connect – Partner Image section.
Current version example: ESXi 7.0 U3 build 20345601 (HPE custom) – check for latest patch.
⚡ Don’t forget to install the matching HPE vibs if upgrading from an older version.
#esxi7 #hpe #proliant
Subject: 📢 HPE Customized ESXi 7.0 Update 3 ISO Available for Download
Team,
The HPE-customized VMware ESXi 7.0 Update 3 ISO is now available for our HPE server fleet.
Why use this version?
Download location: 🔗 HPE Support Center → Select server model → VMware vSphere 7.0 → Download ISO
Validation:
Deployment notes:
Let me know if you need the direct HPE SPP download link or checksum file.
HPE Customized ISO image for VMware ESXi 7.0 Update 3 is the recommended installation media for HPE ProLiant, Synergy, and Superdome Flex servers. It includes specialized drivers and management software (like Agentless Management Service and iLO drivers) that are not present in the generic VMware image. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Latest Release Information (as of April 2026) Current Version:
The latest customized image for standard ProLiant servers is dated February 2025 Synergy Servers: A specialized "HPE Synergy only" image was released in November 2024 Archived Gen9 Support:
The last custom image to support Gen9 servers was released in (version 703.0.0.10.9.1-5). Where to Download Downloads have largely migrated to the Broadcom Support Portal following their acquisition of VMware. Broadcom support portal Broadcom Support Portal: Navigate to My Downloads VMware vSphere Select your licensed version (e.g., vSphere Enterprise Plus from the release dropdown. Switch to the Custom ISOs tab to find the HPE-specific downloads. HPE Support Center: HPE provides a landing page for VMware ESXi Images
which contains links to the Broadcom portal and specific documentation for different hardware families.
Direct driver and "Upgrade Pack" files are available via the HPE Support Center software details Included Customizations
The HPE image prepopulates the following components for better hardware integration: Management Tools:
HPE iLO Driver, Agentless Management Service (AMS), and HPONCFG utility. Storage Utilities: SSACLI (Smart Storage Administrator) for RAID management.
HPE-Integrated Smart Update Tool (iSUT) to facilitate firmware and driver updates through the iLO Repository.
Specific IOVP-certified drivers for newer network and storage controllers found in Gen10 and Gen11 servers. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Important Compatibility Notes VMware ESXi Images for HPE Servers
The HPE customized ISO for VMware ESXi 7.0 Update 3 is the most reliable way to install vSphere on HPE servers, as it includes pre-integrated drivers for network and storage controllers (like those in Gen9, Gen10, and Gen11) that are not part of the standard VMware image. How to Download
Since the migration of VMware Customer Connect, you must now use the Broadcom Support Portal to find these images. Log in to the Broadcom Support Portal. Navigate to My Downloads > VMware vSphere.
Select the specific version (e.g., 7.0) and click on the Custom ISOs tab.
Locate the HPE Custom Image for ESXi 7.0U3 (look for the latest build, such as the February 2025 release for ProLiant).
Key "Interesting" Feature: Integrated Smart Update Tool (iSUT)
One of the most notable features included in the HPE customized image is the HPE Integrated Smart Update Tool (iSUT). VMware ESXi Images for HPE Servers | HPE AFRICA