If you are using vSphere Lifecycle Manager (vLCM) or want to upgrade an existing host via the command line, you don't need the ISO. You can download the Offline Bundle (ZIP) file instead. It contains the same Dell customizations and can be uploaded directly to vCenter for orchestrated updates.
If you are planning to deploy VMware vSphere 8 on Dell PowerEdge servers, stop before you grab the generic ISO from VMware. While the standard ISO will likely work, installing the Dell Customized ISO is the industry best practice to ensure seamless hardware integration.
In this guide, we will cover why you need the customized version, where to find it, and how to download it. vmware esxi 8 dell customized iso download
If you only want security patches, use VMware’s baseline but exclude Dell’s proprietary driver VIBs via a custom baseline in vSphere Lifecycle Manager.
Download the ISO. Pro tip: Also download the checksum.sha256 file. Run a hash check against the ISO before flashing to ensure the file isn't corrupted. If you are using vSphere Lifecycle Manager (vLCM)
| 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 |
Warning: Installing a vanilla ESXi 8 ISO on a Dell PowerEdge R750 or R650, for example, might result in your network adapters not being detected, or storage volumes appearing as "non-local." Download the ISO
Unlike standard software, Dell organizes its downloads by "Operating System." Since ESXi is treated as an OS, you have to navigate the support site carefully.
Dell also provides a Virtualization Customization Portal:
⚠️ Note – this directory is less user-friendly but doesn’t always require login. Use it only if you know exactly which file you need.
Dell’s PERC (PowerEdge RAID Controller) series uses megaraid_sas or lsi_mr3 drivers. The Dell ISO includes the exact vib version validated for your server model. Using the wrong driver can cause: