Downloading the newest available ISO is not always the correct choice. Your ESXi driver versions must align with the firmware running on your UCS Fabric Interconnects and server blades. Before initiating a top download, execute this workflow:

For standalone rack servers (C-Series), you can use the server's built-in CIMC web interface.

Once you download the top-rated Cisco Custom ISO and install it on your host, complete these essential configuration steps:

Here is the correct process for the most common versions:

For blade servers, map the ISO using the KVM console launched directly from the Cisco UCS Manager interface. Step-by-Step Installation Best Practices

Built-in Common Information Model (CIM) providers allow VMware vCenter to accurately monitor server health, temperatures, and power supplies.

Running standard VMware ISOs on Cisco hardware can complicate support tickets with both VMware and Cisco, as they require validated configurations. Top Methods to Download Cisco Custom ESXi ISOs

Are you performing a or an in-place upgrade ? Share public link

Log into your standalone server's Cisco Integrated Management Controller, open the KVM Console, and use the Virtual Media tab to map the ISO directly from your local machine.

The most immediate benefit is that your network and storage adapters are recognized and operational without any manual driver installation. Your Cisco UCS server will be fully functional as soon as ESXi is installed. As one system administrator noted, the only difference between Cisco custom ISO and VMware ISO is the Cisco ISO comes with drivers to get OS installed .

If you have an existing ESXi host running an older version, you can upgrade it without performing a clean installation.

What (B-Series blade or C-Series rack) are you deploying? Which ESXi version (7.0, 8.0, etc.) do you plan to install?

Using the official VMware ESXi Cisco Custom ISO remains the industry-standard, best practice for deploying VMware on Cisco UCS hardware. It ensures a stable, high-performance virtualization environment right from the start. By understanding the purpose of the Custom ISO, the new download process with Broadcom, the nuances of vLCM Addons, and the correct installation procedure, you can manage your Cisco UCS infrastructure with confidence and efficiency.

This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later.

It ensures the latest and validated drivers for Cisco UCS VIC adapters are present.

Press to begin the installation and F11 to accept the VMware EULA.

For a practical example, the Cisco Custom Image for ESXi 6.0 U2 included updates for the enic (2.3.0.7) and fnic (1.6.0.25) drivers. Knowing which drivers are included in your ISO can be vital for troubleshooting network or storage performance issues.