Go to: https://vibsdepot.hpe.com
This is HPE’s public repository for custom VIBs and images.
Warning: ESXi 6.5 is end-of-life; use only if you have a business requirement. For production, prefer a supported ESXi release.
Before attempting to download the HPE custom image for ESXi 6.5 U3, ensure you have:
| Issue | Detail | |-------|--------| | Security | No security patches since Nov 2021. Do not expose to internet. | | Hardware support | Does not support Gen10 Plus or newer. | | VMFS version | VMFS 6 (same as newer ESXi) but limited driver support. | | Upgrade path | Direct upgrade to 7.0 U3 may require fresh install. |
You now have a verified, step-by-step blueprint to download the HPE custom image for ESXi 6.5 U3 using either the official HPE Support Center or the public VIB depot. Remember:
Need the direct URL? (As of last check)
https://downloads.hpe.com/pub/software/vmware/esxi/650/U3/VMware-ESXi-6.5.0-Update3-18877075-HPE-650.U3.10.8.5-Oct2020.iso
Note: HPE may move or prune old links without notice. If the link fails, use the navigation method described above.
Additional Resources:
This article is for informational purposes. Always consult your organization’s change management and licensing team before deploying any hypervisor software.
To download the HPE Custom Image for VMware ESXi 6.5 Update 3, you must use the Broadcom Support Portal, which has replaced the legacy VMware Customer Connect site. Due to this migration, direct deep links to specific custom ISOs are no longer available. Download Instructions
Log in: Access the Broadcom Support Portal and sign in with your credentials.
Navigate to Products: Select VMware Cloud Foundation or the specific vSphere entitlement you hold.
Find ESXi: Search for vSphere and select the version you wish to download (6.5).
Select Custom ISOs: Under the "Primary Downloads" or "Custom ISOs" tab, filter by HPE to locate the custom images. Choose the Correct Image:
For Gen9 and newer: Use the image released around May 2021 (Build 17477841).
For Pre-Gen9 (Gen8 and older): Use the "Last Pre-Gen9" image released in December 2019 (Build 14990892). Key Details for ESXi 6.5 U3 HPE Custom Images Release Date Target Hardware Base Build Identifier May 2021 Gen9 / Gen10 / Synergy 650.U3.10.7.0.90 Dec 2019 Pre-Gen9 (Gen8 and older) 650.U3.9.6.10.1 Important Notes
While you now know exactly how to download the HPE custom image for ESXi 6.5 U3, consider this:
If you cannot find the standalone ISO:
When locating the download, you will typically see two file formats available. It is important to choose the correct one for your use case:
Offline Bundle (VMware-ESXi-6.5.0-XXXXXX-depot.zip):
Downloading the HPE Custom Image for VMware ESXi 6.5 Update 3
requires navigating the Broadcom Support Portal, which replaced the old VMware Customer Connect site. This custom image is essential for HPE ProLiant and Synergy servers, as it includes specific drivers for storage and network controllers that the base VMware image lacks. Hewlett Packard Enterprise How to Download the HPE Custom Image Follow these steps to locate the 6.5 U3 image on the Broadcom Support Portal Hewlett Packard Enterprise
: Sign in with your registered credentials. Note that your account must have an active entitlement to view and download VMware products. Select Product : From the dropdown menu next to your username, select VMware Cloud Foundation Go to Downloads My Downloads on the left-hand navigation bar and search for VMware vSphere in the search box. Choose Version
: Click on the major version (e.g., vSphere 6.5) that matches your entitlement. Access Custom ISOs : Click the Custom ISOs tab. Under the OEM Customized Install CDs section, look for the "HPE Custom Image for ESXi 6.5U3". Verify & Download : Confirm the build identifier (e.g., oem-build-650.U3.10.4.5 for the Aug 2019 release) and click the download icon. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Key Considerations for ESXi 6.5 U3 VMware ESXi End of Life - Lansweeper 26 Aug 2025 —
Downloading the HPE Custom Image for ESXi 6.5 U3 has changed since Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware. You can no longer find direct links on the old VMware Customer Connect site Hewlett Packard Enterprise Official Download Procedure The central hub for all VMware downloads is now the Broadcom Support Portal Access the Portal : Go to the Broadcom Support Portal and log in with your registered account. Navigate to VMware Click the dropdown next to your username and select VMware Cloud Foundation On the left sidebar, click My Downloads Search for vSphere
: Use the search bar to find "VMware vSphere" and select your entitled version (e.g., Enterprise Plus). Find Version 6.5 : Select the version from the dropdown menu. Select Custom ISOs : Click the Custom ISOs tab. Locate the entry for HPE Custom Image for ESXi 6.5.0 Update 3 and click the download icon. Broadcom Community Image Variations & Support
Depending on your hardware, you may need a specific release: Gen9/Gen10+ Servers download hpe custom image for esxi 6.5 u3
: Use the latest standard HPE Custom Image (e.g., May 2021 release) which includes modern drivers like for Smart Arrays. Pre-Gen9 (G7/G8) : You must use the "Last Pre-Gen9"
custom image. Be aware that the December 2019 release was the final one specifically tuned for these older platforms. Synergy Servers
: These often require a distinct "HPE Synergy Custom Image" found under the Synergy-specific tabs on the same portal. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Critical Tips for Older Hardware VMware ESXi Images for HPE Servers | HPE EUROPE
To download the HPE Custom Image for VMware ESXi 6.5 Update 3, you must use the Broadcom Support Portal as the previous VMware Customer Connect site has been decommissioned. Primary Download Method
Due to recent platform migrations, direct links to specific custom ISOs are no longer active. Follow these steps on the Broadcom Support Portal:
Sign In: Log in to your account. You may need to migrate your old VMware account or create a new one to access entitlements.
Navigate to Downloads: Go to My Downloads and select VMware vSphere.
Select Product: Choose your specific edition (e.g., vSphere Enterprise Plus) and set the version to 6.5.
Access Custom ISOs: Click on the Custom ISOs tab. Locate the entry for HPE Custom Image for ESXi 6.5U3. Identify the Correct Image:
Gen9 and Newer: Use the standard HPE Custom Image (e.g., version 650.U3.10.x).
Pre-Gen9 (Gen8 and older): Use the "Last Pre-Gen9" custom image, which is the final version supported for older hardware. Key Features of the HPE 6.5 U3 Custom Image
The custom image includes specific Hewlett Packard Enterprise management tools and drivers not found in the generic VMware installer:
Management Utilities: Includes HPONCFG, BOOTCFG, and SSACLI for hardware configuration.
HPE Drivers: Features HPE iLO and HPE CRU drivers, along with WBEM providers for hardware monitoring.
Integrated Smart Update Tool (iSUT): Supports firmware and driver updates directly through the iLO repository. Critical Compatibility Notes VMware ESXi Images for HPE Servers
The fluorescent lights of the data center hummed in a monotonous key, but to Elias, they sounded like a warning siren. He was staring at a brand-new HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen10 rack server, its bezel glowing with an amber warning light that shouldn't be there.
Elias was the Lead Systems Engineer for a mid-sized logistics company, and he had been tasked with a "simple" refresh: deploy three new hosts for the VMware ESXi environment. The project timeline was tight—management wanted the new cluster online by Friday.
It was Tuesday.
He had just finished the initial boot-up of the first server. He popped in the generic VMware ESXi 6.7 installer ISO he had downloaded months ago. The installer loaded, he clicked through the EULA, and then—disaster. The installer couldn’t see the storage controller.
"Great," Elias muttered, rubbing his temples. "Proprietary hardware."
He knew immediately what the problem was. HPE servers are robust machines, but they are finicky about their drivers. The generic VMware ISO didn't include the specific Smart Array driver needed for this generation of controller.
If he wanted this to work without a nightmare of manually injecting drivers via the command line (which was a rabbit hole he didn't have time for), he needed the "Golden Image." He needed the HPE Custom Image for ESXi 6.5 U3.
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.
Elias sat back down at his desk, the cool air of the office a relief compared to the heat of the server row. He cracked his knuckles. This wasn't just a download; it was a quest.
Step 1: The Portal
Elias opened Chrome and navigated to the HPE Support Center. The familiar green and white interface loaded.
"Login," he typed. He entered his corporate credentials. Access granted. Go to: https://vibsdepot
Rule number one of enterprise IT: Never trust a third-party mirror site for hypervisors. Go to the source.
Step 2: The Hunt
The search bar was his compass. He typed carefully: "VMware ESXi 6.5 U3 ISO".
He hit Enter. The page populated with a list of results. He ignored the patches and the release notes for now. He was looking for the big file. The Offline Bundle.
He scanned the list.
He found it: "HPE Custom Image for ESXi 6.5.0 U3".
He clicked the link. The page expanded, revealing a dropdown menu for "File Type." There were usually two options here: the ZIP file (Offline Bundle) and the ISO file.
Elias selected ISO. The ISO was for bootable installations. The ZIP was for updating via VMware Update Manager (VUM). Since these were new servers with blank drives, he needed the ISO to burn to his flash drive.
Step 3: The Verification
Before his finger hovered over the download button, he did his due diligence. He clicked on the "Release Notes" tab. This was crucial.
He scrolled down to the "Supported Hardware" section. He breathed a sigh of relief. The release notes confirmed that this specific image, build number 14320405, included the hpe-smart-array driver required for his storage controllers.
"Okay," he whispered. "This is the one."
Step 4: The Wait
He clicked the large Download button.
The browser asked him where to save it.
HPE-ESXi-6.5.0-U3-OS-Release-Synergy-Gen10plus.iso.
"It's about 350 megabytes," he noted. "Small enough for a coffee break."
He watched the progress bar. While it downloaded, he grabbed his trusty SanDisk Cruzer from his drawer. He plugged it into his workstation. He opened Rufus, the tool of choice for burning ISOs.
He set the partition scheme to GPT (since these were UEFI servers) and the target system type to UEFI (non CSM).
Step 5: The Deployment
The download completed. Elias checked the file hash against the website—MD5 checksums matched. No corruption.
He dragged the ISO into Rufus and hit Start. Rufus: ISOHybrid image detected. He selected "Write in DD Image mode" just to be safe. DD mode was a bit-for-bit copy and almost never failed to boot on enterprise gear.
The progress bar in Rufus filled up. Ready.
The Climax
Elias walked back into the data center, the USB drive warm in his pocket. He plugged it into the USB 3.0 port on the front of the DL380.
He powered the server on. He pressed F11 for the Boot Menu. He selected the USB drive.
The familiar yellow and grey ESXi installer boot screen appeared. Loading izlip... Loading vmkernel...
No errors. No panic.
The installer loaded successfully. He reached the screen asking him to select a disk to install ESXi. The list populated. | Issue | Detail | |-------|--------| | Security
Local ATA Disk (naa.600508...)
Elias smiled. The storage controller was visible. The download had been the key. He pressed Enter to continue. The installation began.
By the time the server rebooted and displayed the DCUI (Direct Console User Interface), Elias was already mentally preparing the next host. He had the file, he had the process, and he had beaten the amber light.
He pressed F2 to Customize System, set the static IP, and watched as the management network came online. He opened his laptop, pinged the server, and got a reply.
"Download complete," Elias whispered to the hum of the server fans. "Host ready."
Downloading HPE Custom Image for ESXi 6.5 U3: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you're an IT administrator or a VMware enthusiast, you might be familiar with the concept of custom images for ESXi. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) provides custom images for ESXi to ensure compatibility and optimal performance on their servers. In this article, we'll walk you through the process of downloading the HPE custom image for ESXi 6.5 U3.
Why Do You Need a Custom Image?
When you install ESXi on a server, VMware provides a standard image that can be used on any hardware. However, this standard image might not be optimized for specific hardware configurations, which can lead to compatibility issues or suboptimal performance. HPE, being a leading server manufacturer, creates custom images for ESXi that are tailored to their servers. These custom images include:
Downloading the HPE Custom Image for ESXi 6.5 U3
To download the HPE custom image for ESXi 6.5 U3, follow these steps:
Prerequisites for Downloading the Custom Image
Before downloading the custom image, ensure that you meet the following prerequisites:
Verifying the Custom Image
After downloading the custom image, verify its integrity by checking the MD5 checksum. This ensures that the image has not been corrupted during download.
Using the Custom Image
Once you've verified the custom image, you can use it to:
Best Practices and Considerations
When working with custom images, keep the following best practices and considerations in mind:
Conclusion
In this article, we've walked you through the process of downloading the HPE custom image for ESXi 6.5 U3. By following these steps and best practices, you can ensure that your HPE server is running with an optimized and compatible ESXi image. Remember to regularly check for updates and test and validate the custom image before deploying it to production.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the difference between a standard ESXi image and a custom image? A: A custom image is optimized and tailored for specific hardware configurations, while a standard image is a generic image that can be used on any hardware.
Q: Can I use a custom image on a non-HPE server? A: No, custom images are specific to HPE servers and should not be used on non-HPE servers.
Q: How do I verify the integrity of the custom image? A: You can verify the integrity of the custom image by checking the MD5 checksum.
By following this guide and using the HPE custom image for ESXi 6.5 U3, you can ensure optimal performance, compatibility, and stability on your HPE server.