Look for the or Operating System Installation Files category.
Log into UCS Manager (UCSM) or Cisco Intersight and note your current infrastructure bundle version (e.g., 4.3(2b)).
VMware hosts Cisco custom images on their official download site.
Under the specific ESXi version group (e.g., ESXi 8.0 or 7.0), look for the Custom ISOs tab. You will find a dedicated sub-section for Cisco Systems. vmware esxi cisco custom iso top download
Go to the Cisco Software Central portal. Search for your specific server model (e.g., "UCS C220 M6 Rack Server"). Navigate to Unified Computing System (UCS) Server Software > VMware Software > vSphere vSphere Custom ISOs . Verifying Version Compatibility (Crucial Step)
Go to the official portal ( software.cisco.com ). You will need a valid Cisco account with entitlements for UCS server software.
Follow the standard on-screen prompts to select your local installation drive and complete the installation. Look for the or Operating System Installation Files category
These custom ISOs typically include:
A Cisco Custom ISO is a version of the VMware ESXi hypervisor that includes not found in the standard VMware ISO. Top Reasons to Use a Cisco Custom Image:
What (e.g., C220 M5, B200 M6) are you upgrading? Under the specific ESXi version group (e
Using a generic image on Cisco UCS hardware often results in:
The Ultimate Guide to VMware ESXi Cisco Custom ISOs: How to Find, Download, and Deploy
Download considerations and best practices
In the KVM window, click on the tab at the top menu.
When deploying VMware vSphere on Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) B-Series Blade Servers or C-Series Rack Servers, using the standard VMware ESXi image is possible, but not ideal. To achieve maximum performance, hardware compatibility, and stability, you should use the .
