Skipping this due diligence—for example, by using a generic ISO—often results in a "purple diagnostic screen" (PSOD) due to missing drivers for storage controllers or unsupported network cards. Furthermore, HPE’s custom image enables critical manageability features, such as integration with HPE’s OneView and Insight Control, and ensures that the hp-ams (Agent Management Service) can report hardware health to vCenter.
The HPE Customized Image for ESXi 6.5 U3 includes specific drivers and management tools not found in the base VMware image: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Management Tools
Some downloads require an active warranty or support contract (SAID) linked to your HPE profile.
What (Gen9, Gen10, etc.) you are targeting?
By using the HPE Custom Image, you ensure that your VMware environment is optimized for the specific "under-the-hood" architecture of ProLiant servers, leading to better performance and easier hardware monitoring.
Management wanted 6.7, but the software vendor for their core logistics app had strict compatibility matrices. They were capped at 6.5. Update 3 (U3) was the final and most stable release of that branch.
Finally, he found it: VMware-ESXi-6.5.0-Update3-14990825-HPE-Gen9plus-650.U3.10.5.5.5-Jan2020.iso .
Downloading the correct HPE custom image for ESXi 6.5 Update 3 ensures that your legacy HPE server runs VMware’s hypervisor with the proper drivers, management agents, and firmware support.
Before deploying, confirm the image contains HPE-specific VIBs:
Method 1: Via the Broadcom Support Portal (VMware Downloads)
: Click the profile dropdown next to your username and select VMware Cloud Foundation Navigate to Downloads from the left-hand navigation. Search for VMware vSphere in the search bar. Select Version : Choose your entitled version (e.g., VMware vSphere – Enterprise ) and select the major version from the dropdown list. Access Custom ISOs Custom ISOs Look under OEM Customized Install CDs to locate the HPE Custom Image for ESXi 6.5 U3