How to create customized ESXi image: ISO or zip (bundle file) including 3rd VIB?

By | April 18, 2015
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Sometimes we need to upgrade our ESXi hosts with installed 3rd vSphere Installation Bundle (VIBs). Before I show you how to customize ESXi image (using Image Builder), let's clarify some important things about VIBs. VIB is comprised of three parts:

  1. A file archive - contains the files that make up the VIB.
  2. An XML descriptor file - describes the contents of the VIB.
  3. A signature file - is an electronic signature used to verify the level of trust associated with the VIB. There are four acceptance levels:
  • VMwareCertified:  VIBs created and tested by VMware.
  • VMwareAccepted:  VIBs created by a VMware partners that are approved by VMware.
  • PartnerSupported:  VIBs created and tested by a trusted VMware partner.
  • CommunitySupported:  VIBs created by individuals or partners outside of the VMware partner program.

 

ESXi image customization - prerequisites

There are two prerequisites:

  • The VMware PowerCLI installed on a Windows platform. You can download it here.
  • ESXi depot (.zip file). You can download it from https://my.vmware.comHow to create customized ESXi image: ISO or zip (bundle file) including 3rd VIB 8
  • 3rd offline bundle (.zip file) including VIB(s). In my case Cisco VEMHow to create customized ESXi image: ISO or zip (bundle file) including 3rd VIB

 

Customizing ESXi image

OK, let's customize our ESXi image. I will add Cisco VEM to the ESXi image and export it to ISO and bundle .zip file.

  1. Start the VMWare PowerCLI application.

    How to create customized ESXi image: ISO or zip (bundle file) including 3rd VIB 9

    VMWare PowerCLI

  2. Load the ESXi depot by using the command:

    Add-EsxSoftwareDepot -depoturl path_to_ESXi_bundle_zip

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  3. Display the image profiles by using the command:

    Get-EsxImageProfile

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  4. Load the Cisco Nexus 1000V VEM offline bundle by using the command:

    Add-EsxSoftwareDepot -depoturl path_to_3rd_bundle_zip

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  5. Clone the ESXi standard image profile by using the command:

    New-EsxImageProfile -CloneProfile Image_Profile_name -Name new_profile_name -Vendor vendor_name

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  6. Get VEM package name and add into the cloned image profile by using the commands:

    Get-EsxSoftwarePackage cisco*

    Add-EsxSoftwarePackage -SoftwarePackage package_name -ImageProfile Image_Profile_name

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  7. Export the image profile to an ISO and zip file by using the commands:

    Export-EsxImageProfile -ImageProfile Image_Profile_name -FilePath path_for_iso_file -ExportToIso

    Export-EsxImageProfile -ImageProfile Image_Profile_name -FilePath path_for_zip_file -ExportToBundle

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We have created a customized ISO and bundle (.zip) files. Now you can use VMware Update Manager (VUM) or ESXCLI to install/deploy it on ESXi hosts. 🙂