: These images contain critical drivers for HPE storage and network controllers (like Smart Array and iLO) that are not present in the generic VMware ISO. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Patching an Existing HPE Custom Installation
Alternatively, you can use the more granular approach of creating a clone of an existing image profile and adding specific software packages from the HPE depot.
remove or overwrite the custom HPE drivers already on the host. HPE Online Depot (vibsdepot)
Modern vSphere environments rely on one of two primary methods for updating hosts:
Backup and rollback planning
When a severe vulnerability (such as a Log4j or cryptographic flaw) impacts ESXi, VMware issues a patch.
Always download HPE Custom Images from the official Broadcom Support Portal. Due to the existing architecture of the Broadcom Support Portal, there are no direct links to specific Custom Images or Add-ons; use Broadcom's knowledge base article (KB 366685) for specific steps to find and download these images.
HPE tests these customized images against all supported servers, including scenarios for updates, upgrades, and configuration changes. This testing ensures that when you install an HPE Custom Image, your hypervisor and hardware work in harmony from day one.
A "patched" HPE custom image refers to an ESXi host that has received subsequent VMware security or bug fixes after the initial HPE custom image was installed. The critical operational challenge is applying these VMware patches without overwriting or breaking the specialized HPE drivers. Step-by-Step Guide: How to Patch an HPE ESXi Host Safely
The HPE custom image is not just a theme. It's a set of hardware enablement drivers. Lose them, and your server becomes a very loud, very hot, non-functional metal box.
Includes the HPE iLO Driver , Agentless Management Service (AMS), and SSACLI for RAID management .
As of May 2026, the updated recipes for Gen10, Gen11, and Gen12 servers are readily available. How to Patch an Existing HPE ESXi Image
For most organizations running production workloads, the recommended path forward is vSphere Lifecycle Manager (vLCM) with the HPE Customization add-on. This approach delivers automated, desired-state management that eliminates much of the complexity and risk associated with manual patching. For those running HPE Synergy environments, be aware of the deprecation of Synergy-specific custom images beginning with SSP 2026.01.01, and plan to transition to the VMware base image combined with HPE SSP components.

: These images contain critical drivers for HPE storage and network controllers (like Smart Array and iLO) that are not present in the generic VMware ISO. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Patching an Existing HPE Custom Installation
Alternatively, you can use the more granular approach of creating a clone of an existing image profile and adding specific software packages from the HPE depot.
remove or overwrite the custom HPE drivers already on the host. HPE Online Depot (vibsdepot)
Modern vSphere environments rely on one of two primary methods for updating hosts:
Backup and rollback planning
When a severe vulnerability (such as a Log4j or cryptographic flaw) impacts ESXi, VMware issues a patch.
Always download HPE Custom Images from the official Broadcom Support Portal. Due to the existing architecture of the Broadcom Support Portal, there are no direct links to specific Custom Images or Add-ons; use Broadcom's knowledge base article (KB 366685) for specific steps to find and download these images.
HPE tests these customized images against all supported servers, including scenarios for updates, upgrades, and configuration changes. This testing ensures that when you install an HPE Custom Image, your hypervisor and hardware work in harmony from day one.
A "patched" HPE custom image refers to an ESXi host that has received subsequent VMware security or bug fixes after the initial HPE custom image was installed. The critical operational challenge is applying these VMware patches without overwriting or breaking the specialized HPE drivers. Step-by-Step Guide: How to Patch an HPE ESXi Host Safely
The HPE custom image is not just a theme. It's a set of hardware enablement drivers. Lose them, and your server becomes a very loud, very hot, non-functional metal box.
Includes the HPE iLO Driver , Agentless Management Service (AMS), and SSACLI for RAID management .
As of May 2026, the updated recipes for Gen10, Gen11, and Gen12 servers are readily available. How to Patch an Existing HPE ESXi Image
For most organizations running production workloads, the recommended path forward is vSphere Lifecycle Manager (vLCM) with the HPE Customization add-on. This approach delivers automated, desired-state management that eliminates much of the complexity and risk associated with manual patching. For those running HPE Synergy environments, be aware of the deprecation of Synergy-specific custom images beginning with SSP 2026.01.01, and plan to transition to the VMware base image combined with HPE SSP components.
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