How to Build Custom ESXi ISO

                              How to Build Custom ESXi ISO




Step 1: - Download the ESXi image that you want to install(We have taken ESXi 5.5 Update 3b Patch 10)

Step 2: - Connect to vMware vSphere PowerCLI and add the downloaded zip file to the software depot.

Step 3: -  Check the ESXi image profile from the depots.

Step 4: - Create a new Image profile by cloning the existing Image profile that you want to use (with vMware tools or without vMware tools)

Step 5: - Check for the image profile created by you

Step 6: - Set the acceptance level for the profile
Note: - Acceptance level determines which VIBs are accepted for installation. We selected Acceptance level as community supported in our lab.

Step 7:- Add the software (VIBs) that you want to add to the image profile to the software depot

Note:- This step can be merged with step 1 as well.

Step 8: - Add the VIBs added to the software depot to the Image profile created (Test)

Step 9: - Export the Custom Image to an ISO for use
Command: - Export-EsxImageProfile –ImageProfile Test –ExportToISO –FilePath G:\Custom-image\Test.iso