In this tutorial I will be building a custom VMware ISO image that includes VMware vSphere 5.0 Update 2, EMC PowerPath 5.7 P02, Cisco Nexus 1000v VEM and Cisco UCS M81KR VIC fnic and enic drivers.
- Download all modules you are planning to add to the image and store them in a folder;
![Create custom ISO VMware vSphere ESXi Image Builder - 2]()
You can also use these online VIB repositories / Software depots from Dell, HP and VMware: - Make sure VMware Image Builder PowerCLI SnapIn / library has been added:
Get-PSSnapin -Name VMware.ImageBuilder
If not – add VMware Image Builder PowerCLI SnapIn:
Add-PSSnapin VMware.ImageBuilder
- Import the software depot(s) using Add-EsxSoftwareDepot:VMware vSphere 5.0 Update 2:
Add-EsxSoftwareDepot C:\SoftwareDepot\update-from-esxi5.0-5.0_update02.zip Depot Url --------- zip:C:\SoftwareDepot\update-from-esxi5.0-5.0_update02.zip?index.xml
Cisco VIC fnic driver:
Add-EsxSoftwareDepot C:\SoftwareDepot\fnic_driver_1.5.0.20-offline_bundle-1021375.zip Depot Url --------- zip:C:\SoftwareDepot\fnic_driver_1.5.0.20-offline_bundle-1021375.zip?index.xml
Cisco VIC enic driver:
Add-EsxSoftwareDepot C:\SoftwareDepot\enic_driver_2.1.2.38-offline_bundle-1023014.zip Depot Url --------- zip:C:\SoftwareDepot\enic_driver_2.1.2.38-offline_bundle-1023014.zip?index.xml
EMC PowerPath:
Add-EsxSoftwareDepot C:\SoftwareDepot\EMCPower.VMWARE.5.7.P02.b003.zip Depot Url --------- zip:C:\SoftwareDepot\EMCPower.VMWARE.5.7.P02.b003.zip?index.xml
Cisco 1000V VEM:
Add-EsxSoftwareDepot C:\SoftwareDepot\VEM500-201212147102-BG-release.zip Depot Url --------- zip:C:\SoftwareDepot\VEM500-201212147102-BG-release.zip?index.xml
- List the Software Packages that you added using Get-EsxSoftwarePackage and make a note of the package name(s):
List only EMC and Cisco packages:Get-EsxSoftwarePackage | where {$_.Vendor -eq "Cisco" -or $_.Vendor -eq "EMC" } | Format-Table -AutoSize Name Version Vendor Release Date ---- ------- ------ ------------ scsi-fnic 1.5.0.20-1OEM.500.0.0.472560 Cisco 27/09/2012 20:24:19 net-enic 2.1.2.38-1OEM.500.0.0.472560 Cisco 15/08/2012 17:01:58 powerpath.cim.esx 5.7.0.02.00-b003 EMC 23/07/2012 12:23:55 cisco-vem-v147-esx 4.2.1.1.5.2b.0-3.0.1 Cisco 12/12/2012 21:05:08 powerpath.plugin.esx 5.7.0.02.00-b003 EMC 23/07/2012 12:23:36 powerpath.lib.esx 5.7.0.02.00-b003 EMC 23/07/2012 12:23:56Or get the full list:
Get-EsxSoftwarePackage | Format-Table -AutoSize
Name Version Vendor Release Date ------ ------ ------ ------ esx-base 5.0.0-2.26.914586 VMware 18/11/2012 19:43:02 ata-pata-atiixp 0.4.6-3vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:24 net-nx-nic 4.0.557-3vmw.500.1.11.623860 VMware 17/02/2012 21:33:25 scsi-rste 2.0.2.0088-1vmw.500.1.11.623860 VMware 17/02/2012 21:13:28 scsi-mptsas 4.23.01.00-5vmw.500.1.18.768111 VMware 29/06/2012 20:43:56 net-ixgbe 2.0.84.8.2-10vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:12 scsi-megaraid2 2.00.4-9vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:16 uhci-usb-uhci 1.0-3vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:36 net-r8168 8.013.00-3vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:30 ohci-usb-ohci 1.0-3vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:36 ipmi-ipmi-si-drv 39.1-4vmw.500.2.26.914586 VMware 18/11/2012 19:38:58 net-e1000 8.0.3.1-2vmw.500.1.18.768111 VMware 29/06/2012 20:43:33 scsi-fnic 1.5.0.20-1OEM.500.0.0.472560 Cisco 27/09/2012 20:24:19 scsi-qla4xxx 5.01.03.2-3vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:30 ata-pata-sil680 0.4.8-3vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:26 scsi-megaraid-mbox 2.20.5.1-6vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:16 scsi-aic79xx 3.1-5vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:58:31 esx-tboot 5.0.0-2.26.914586 VMware 18/11/2012 19:38:18 scsi-mpt2sas 06.00.00.00-6vmw.500.1.11.623860 VMware 17/02/2012 21:33:07 net-bnx2 2.0.15g.v50.11-5vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:58:30 ata-pata-serverworks 0.4.3-3vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:26 net-enic 2.1.2.38-1OEM.500.0.0.472560 Cisco 15/08/2012 17:01:58 scsi-fnic 1.5.0.3-1vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:58:58 scsi-lpfc820 8.2.2.1-18vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:18 scsi-hpsa 5.0.0-17vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:58:59 scsi-aacraid 1.1.5.1-9vmw.500.1.11.623860 VMware 17/02/2012 21:32:19 scsi-lpfc820 8.2.2.1-18vmw.500.2.26.914586 VMware 18/11/2012 19:39:07 net-igb 2.1.11.1-3vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:05 sata-sata-nv 3.5-3vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:31 net-bnx2x 1.61.15.v50.1-2vmw.500.2.26.914586 VMware 18/11/2012 19:38:45 net-forcedeth 0.61-2vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:00 powerpath.cim.esx 5.7.0.02.00-b003 EMC 23/07/2012 12:23:55 scsi-qla2xxx 901.k1.1-14vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:30 scsi-bnx2i 1.9.1d.v50.1-3vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:58:31 net-tg3 3.123b.v50.1-1vmw.500.2.26.914586 VMware 18/11/2012 19:39:29 scsi-adp94xx 1.0.8.12-6vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:58:23 net-sky2 1.20-2vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:36 cisco-vem-v147-esx 4.2.1.1.5.2b.0-3.0.1 Cisco 12/12/2012 21:05:08 powerpath.plugin.esx 5.7.0.02.00-b003 EMC 23/07/2012 12:23:36 ehci-ehci-hcd 1.0-3vmw.500.1.11.623860 VMware 17/02/2012 21:32:36 sata-ahci 3.0-6vmw.500.1.11.623860 VMware 17/02/2012 21:32:19 ipmi-ipmi-devintf 39.1-4vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:03 net-e1000e 1.1.2-3vmw.500.1.11.623860 VMware 17/02/2012 21:32:36 misc-drivers 5.0.0-2.26.914586 VMware 18/11/2012 19:39:35 ipmi-ipmi-si-drv 39.1-4vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:05 scsi-megaraid-sas 5.34-1vmw.500.1.11.623860 VMware 17/02/2012 21:33:07 tools-light 5.0.0-1.25.912577 VMware 16/11/2012 19:48:47 powerpath.lib.esx 5.7.0.02.00-b003 EMC 23/07/2012 12:23:56 sata-sata-promise 2.12-3vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:31 net-bnx2x 1.61.15.v50.1-1vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:58:46 scsi-ips 7.12.05-4vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:06 ata-pata-cmd64x 0.2.5-3vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:25 net-e1000e 1.1.2-3vmw.500.2.26.914586 VMware 18/11/2012 19:38:49 net-be2net 4.0.88.0-1vmw.500.0.7.515841 VMware 15/12/2011 00:00:00 sata-sata-sil 2.3-3vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:34 sata-sata-svw 2.3-3vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:35 ata-pata-via 0.3.3-2vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:26 esx-tboot 5.0.0-0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:58:15 ata-pata-pdc2027x 1.0-3vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:25 misc-cnic-register 1.1-1vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:58:38 net-s2io 2.1.4.13427-3vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:35 sata-ata-piix 2.12-4vmw.500.1.11.623860 VMware 17/02/2012 21:32:19 net-enic 1.4.2.15a-1vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:58:54 net-igb 2.1.11.1-3vmw.500.2.26.914586 VMware 18/11/2012 19:38:57 misc-drivers 5.0.0-1.22.821926 VMware 26/08/2012 01:34:20 ata-pata-hpt3x2n 0.3.4-3vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:25 block-cciss 3.6.14-10vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:58:42 ipmi-ipmi-msghandler 39.1-4vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:06 net-cnic 1.10.2j.v50.7-2vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:58:42 esx-base 5.0.0-1.25.912577 VMware 16/11/2012 19:52:29 net-ixgbe 2.0.84.8.2-11vmw.500.2.26.914586 VMware 18/11/2012 19:39:01 ima-qla4xxx 2.01.07-1vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:44 tools-light 5.0.0-2.26.914586 VMware 18/11/2012 19:38:41 net-tg3 3.110h.v50.4-4vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:38 ata-pata-amd 0.3.10-3vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:24 net-r8169 6.011.00-2vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:31 scsi-mptspi 4.23.01.00-5vmw.500.0.0.469512 VMware 19/08/2011 01:59:21
- List all Image profiles Get-EsxImageProfile:
Get-EsxImageProfile | Format-Table -AutoSize Name Vendor Last Modified Acceptance Level ---- ------ ------------- ---------------- ESXi-5.0.0-20121202001-no-tools VMware, Inc. 18/11/2012 21:17:19 PartnerSupported ESXi-5.0.0-20121202001-standard VMware, Inc. 18/11/2012 21:17:19 PartnerSupported ESXi-5.0.0-20121201001s-no-tools VMware, Inc. 18/11/2012 21:17:19 PartnerSupported ESXi-5.0.0-20121201001s-standard VMware, Inc. 18/11/2012 21:17:19 PartnerSupported
- Create a new (
-NewProfile) or clone existing (-CloneProfile) Image Profile using ‘New-EsxImageProfile‘ :New-EsxImageProfile -CloneProfile ESXi-5.0.0-20121202001-standard -Name ESXi-5.0.0.Update2.Customised -AcceptanceLevel PartnerSupported Name Vendor Last Modified Acceptance Level ---- ------ ------------- ---------------- ESXi-5.0.0.Update2.Customised VMware, Inc. 18/11/2012 2... PartnerSupported
N.B. Select correct Acceptance Level – some light reading for you: http://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-50/index.jsp?topic=%2Fcom.vmware.vsphere.install.doc_50%2FGUID-0410FAFA-A007-4BD5-A0CC-B1D7303853A3.html
- Use the ‘Add-EsxSoftwarePackage’ and ‘Remove-EsxSoftwarePackage‘ cmdlets to add and remove VIBs to/from Image Profile you created.
Add-EsxSoftwarePackage -ImageProfile ESXi-5.0.0.Update2.Customised -SoftwarePackage scsi-fnic,net-enic,powerpath.cim.esx,cisco-vem-v147-esx,powerpath.plugin.esx,powerpath.lib.esx Name Vendor Last Modified Acceptance Level ---- ------ ------------- ---------------- ESXi-5.0.0.Update2.Customised VMware, Inc. 10/04/2013 1... PartnerSupported
N.B.: Each VIB contains an XML file that has information about the VIB to include any dependencies or conflicts it may have with other VIBs. When adding and removing VIBs you will need to ensure that conflicts are avoided and dependencies are met.
Get-EsxSoftwarePackage net-enic | Select -ExpandProperty Depends
- The final step is to export Image Profile to .ZIP or .ISO file. Export-EsxImageProfile
You can use the ISO file to boot your new hosts and install ESXi. You can use the ZIP file with Update Manager or Auto Deploy. When new hosts are installed using the custom image profile all the VIBs you added will be installed on the host as part of the install.Export-EsxImageProfile -ImageProfile ESXi-5.0.0.Update2.Customised -ExportToIso -FilePath c:\SoftwareDepot\ESXi-5.0.0.Update2.Customised.iso
![Create custom ISO VMware vSphere ESXi Image Builder - 1]()
