Posted on 25 July, 2012 by Kyle Gleed, Sr. Technical Marketing Architect, VMware
Ever wondered how to create an ISO image from a patch that was downloaded from VMware’s web site? Here are the steps:
(1) Download the patch from VMware's web site. For help with the patch portal check here. At the time I’m writing this the latest 5.0 patch is "ESXi500-201207001.zip" so I’ll use it. As an FYI, here’s a link to the patch release notes.
(2) Start PowerCLI and import the patch using the “Add-EsxSoftwareDepot” cmdlet:
(3) View the available image profiles using the “Get-EsxImageProfile” cmdlet:
With each patch there will typically be an image profile with all the updates (security fixes, bug updates and enhancements) and one with just the security updates. The patch release notes explains why:
“Starting with ESXi 5.0 Update 1, VMware patch and update releases contain general and security-only image profiles. Security-only image profiles are applicable to new security fixes only. No new bug fixes are included, but bug fixes from earlier patch/update releases are included.
The general release image profile supersedes the security-only profile. Application of the general release image profile applies to new security and bug fixes.
The security-only image profiles are identified with the additional "s" identifier in the image profile name.”
For more information on how patches are classified in terms of bug fixes, security fixes and enhancements refer to KB article 2014447.
(4) Use the "Export-EsxImageProfile" cmdlet to save the image profile of your choice as an ISO image that you can use to boot your hosts and run the installer.
For more information on the ESXi Image Builder:
Using the ESXi Image Builder CLI
Image Builder and Auto Deploy PowerCLI Quick Reference
Follow me on Twitter @VMwareESXi
Thanks Kyle. How do I make a depot (zip) file from a running instance of an ESXi server?
There is no way to create a depot from a running vSphere hosts. To create a custom ZIP you need to start with a software depot provided by VMware or a partner, create a custom image profile, add/remove packages as needed, and then export the custom image as a depot.
Hi Kyle,
Can i ask how to create a software depot provided by VMware or a partner?
I am using ESXi-5.0.0-381646-standard being seen in vSphere Client Summary tab. i am planning to include my device driver to support our PCIe Drive. The ESXi being used is just an evaluation, planned to acquire a legit version once proven to be working.
appreciate your immediate reply, thanks in advance.
Thanks Kyle Gleed .. Your message helped a lot in solving my problem with auto-start.
to create the esx off line bundle attach to the software depot at vmware and export the required esx profile as a bundle..
Add-EsxSoftwareDepot -depoturl “https://hostupdate.vmware.com/software/VUM/PRODUCTION/main/vmw-depot-index.xml”
Get-EsxImageProfile
Export-EsxImageProfile “ESXi-5.1.0-799733-standard” -ExportToBundle -FilePath “C:\IB\esx5.1.zip”
For Just a list of 5.1 Images
Get-EsxImageProfile | Where {$_.Name -match “ESXi-5.1″} | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Name