The VMware ESXi 6.7 U3 HPE Custom Image remains a necessary artifact for a significant portion of the data center market. It represents the last stronghold of the "classic" vSphere architecture before the bootbank changes and architectural shifts of version 7.
Recommendation for the Infrastructure Engineer: Do not treat this download as a temporary fix. If you are staying on 6.7 U3, ensure your HPE Support Contract is active to access the ISO. Verify the specific driver versions for your Smart Array controller. And most importantly, build an exit strategy.
The HPE Custom Image is a bridge. It connects the robust hardware of the past (Gen9/Gen10) to the virtualization needs of the present. But bridges eventually lead to new
Downloading the HPE Custom Image for VMware ESXi 6.7 Update 3 now requires navigating the Broadcom Support Portal following their acquisition of VMware. While the old VMware Customer Connect links are defunct, you can still access these vendor-specific ISOs. Official Download Path
To get the authentic HPE custom image, follow these steps on the Broadcom Support Portal: VMware ESXi Images for HPE Servers
Downloading the HPE Custom Image for VMware ESXi 6.7 U3: A Quick Guide
If you are maintaining older Gen9 or Gen10 HPE hardware, you know that the generic VMware installer won't cut it. To get the necessary drivers for Smart Array controllers and specialized NICs, you need the HPE Custom Image.
Following the Broadcom acquisition of VMware, the download process has changed significantly. Here is how to find the legacy ESXi 6.7 U3 custom image today. Why You Need the Custom Image
Standard ESXi installers often lack the specific drivers required for HPE’s proprietary hardware. The HPE Customized Image includes: HPE iLO Drivers: For Agentless Management Service (AMS).
Storage Drivers: Critical for HPE Smart Array and Smart HBA controllers.
Management Tools: Includes ssacli (storage command line) and hponcfg. Step-by-Step Download Instructions
Since VMware Customer Connect was retired, all downloads are now hosted on the Broadcom Support Portal.
Register & Log In: Access the Broadcom Support Portal and sign in. You must have a registered account to view entitled downloads.
Navigate to My Downloads: Select "VMware Cloud Foundation" from the dropdown menu next to your username. vmware esxi 6.7 u3 hpe custom image download
Search for vSphere: Use the search bar to find "VMware vSphere" and select your entitled version (e.g., vSphere Enterprise Plus).
Filter by Version: Choose 6.7 from the major version dropdown list.
Find Custom ISOs: Click the Custom ISOs tab. You can then search for "HPE" to find the specific HPE Custom Image for ESXi 6.7 Update 3. Key Image Details for ESXi 6.7 U3 HPE SimpliVity Custom ESXi 6.7U3 EP24 offline bundle
Name: Q8A57-11148_hpe-esxi-6.7.0-update3ep24-19997733-670.U3.10.9.0-8-offline-bundle.zip. Contain: bnxtnet--219.0.29.0-1OEM.670.0. Hewlett Packard Enterprise HPE VMware vSphere 6.7 U3 Customized Image
HPE Support Center (Integrated VMware ESXi Image for HPE ProLiant)
Note: As of late 2023, HPE transitioned to a "Gen11 only" policy for new downloads. ESXi 6.7 is now in End of General Support (EOGS) – you may need an active HPE support contract or entitlement to access the download.
To download the VMware ESXi 6.7 Update 3 HPE Custom Image, you must now use the Broadcom Support Portal, as the old VMware Customer Connect site has been retired following Broadcom's acquisition. How to Download the HPE Custom Image
Broadcom's current architecture does not support direct deep links to specific ISOs. Follow these steps to locate the image:
Access the Portal: Log in to the Broadcom Support Portal. You will need a registered account. Navigate to Downloads: On the left-hand menu, select My Downloads.
Search for VMware vSphere or select it from the "VMware Cloud Foundation" division. Filter for the Version:
Select the major version (vSphere 6.7) and your license type (e.g., Enterprise Plus). Click on the Custom ISOs tab.
Find the HPE Image: Look for the entry titled HPE Custom Image for ESXi 6.7.0 Update 3.
Commonly used builds for HPE Gen9 and Gen10 servers include the May 2021 (Build 17700523) or March 2020 releases. Key Details for HPE ESXi 6.7 U3 VMware ESXi Images for HPE Servers The VMware ESXi 6
To download the HPE Customized VMware ESXi 6.7 U3 image, you must now use the Broadcom Support Portal
, which has replaced the former VMware Customer Connect site. Hewlett Packard Enterprise How to Access the HPE Custom Image Log in to the Broadcom Support Portal
: You must have a registered account tied to an active software entitlement to see and download custom ISOs. Navigate to "My Downloads"
: Select "VMware Cloud Foundation" from the division dropdown menu on the left. Search for vSphere
: Use the search bar to find "VMware vSphere" or "VMware vSphere Foundation". Filter for Custom ISOs
: Under the specific vSphere version (e.g., 6.7), look for the Custom ISOs tab. Locate the entry for HPE Custom Image for ESXi 6.7 Update 3 Select Your Server Type : Depending on your hardware, choose between standard images or specific custom images. Broadcom support portal Key Specifications for ESXi 6.7 U3 HPE Image Support Status : VMware officially ended General Support for ESXi 6.7 on October 15, 2022 . Technical guidance ended in November 2023. Hardware Compatibility : Designed for Gen9, Gen9 Plus, and Gen10 Unsupported : This image does not support HPE Gen8 and earlier servers or HPE Blades.
: Includes HPE-specific drivers for network and storage controllers, as well as management software like (Agentless Management Service) and WBEM Providers Example Image Identifier oem-build670.U3.10.4.5 (standard Aug 2019 release). Hewlett Packard Enterprise Alternate Resources
The HPE Customized Image for VMware ESXi 6.7 Update 3 is essential for installing ESXi on supported HPE ProLiant and Synergy servers, as it includes critical drivers and management software not found in the standard VMware image. Download Process
Following Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware, direct download links are no longer available. You must access the image through the Broadcom Support Portal.
Login/Register: Access the Broadcom Support Portal and log in with your registered account. Navigation:
Select VMware Cloud Foundation from the dropdown near your username. Go to My Downloads on the left menu. Search for VMware vSphere and select it. Filter for Image:
Choose your entitlement (e.g., Enterprise Plus) and select major version 6.7. Click the Custom ISOs or OEM Addons tab.
Search for "HPE" to find the HPE Custom Image for ESXi 6.7.0 Update 3. Note: As of late 2023, HPE transitioned to
Verification: The base OS image for this release is typically vSphere 6.7 U3 Build 14320388. Included Components
This custom image integrates several HPE-specific tools and drivers to ensure hardware compatibility and management:
Management Tools: HPE iLO Driver, Agentless Management Service (AMS), and HPE CIM Providers.
Utilities: SSACLI (Smart Storage Administrator), HPONCFG, BOOTCFG, and the Integrated Smart Update Tool (iSUT).
Storage Drivers: Critical for boot controllers; for Gen9 servers, a minimum nhpsa driver (2.0.44-1) is required for vSAN certification. Hardware Compatibility
Supported Servers: Targeted at HPE Gen9, Gen10, and Gen10 Plus ProLiant servers.
Unsupported: This image is generally not supported on HPE Blades.
Verification: Before downloading, verify your specific hardware on the HPE Server Support Matrix. Installation/Upgrade Tips Where to download esxi images | VMware vSphere
Example of a full filename:
VMware-ESXi-6.7.0-Update3-19195700-HPE-650.U3.10.9.0.7-Sep2024.iso
⚠️ Note: HPE stopped releasing new 6.7 U3 images after mid-2023 (end of general support). If missing, use the last available version (e.g., October 2022 or March 2023).
In the fast-moving world of enterprise IT, where "End of Life" notices arrive like clockwork, there is a specific intersection of hardware and software that remains a critical pivot point for infrastructure engineers: VMware ESXi 6.7 Update 3 (U3) on HPE ProLiant servers.
If you are reading this, you are likely standing at a crossroads. You might be maintaining a legacy environment, performing a disaster recovery restore on older iron, or meticulously documenting your infrastructure before a forced migration. But finding and understanding the HPE Custom Image for ESXi 6.7 U3 is more than just a file download; it is a lesson in vendor optimization and lifecycle management.
To complete this download, ensure you have the following:
If you are downloading ESXi 6.7 U3 today, you are handling legacy software. It is critical to acknowledge the vulnerabilities patched (and unpatched) in this version. While U3 contained critical security fixes for its time, it does not contain the modern safeguards found in ESXi 7.0 U3 or 8.0. Furthermore, the HPE System Management Homepage (SMH) and the Smart Storage Administrator (HPESSA) included in these images have had their own CVE histories.
Deploying a 6.7 U3 image today requires an immediate round of patching via the HPE repositories or VMware Update Manager (VUM). The ISO gets you to the floor; the patches build the house.