Steps to Setup a vLCM with offline image on vCenter server

Steps to Set Up vLCM Using an Offline Image

Step 1: Download Required Offline Files

    ESXi Offline Bundle ZIP

    Example: VMware-ESXi-8.0U3-xxxxxx-depot.zip

    Vendor Add-ons (optional but recommended for Dell, HPE, Lenovo, etc.)

    Example: HPE-Custom-AddOn_802.0.0.10.2-1OEM.802.0.0.24938291_231208.zip

Sources:

    VMware Patch Portal

    (Search under ESXi (Embedded and Installable) → Select your version → Download the Offline         Bundle)

    HPE: https://www.hpe.com/info/esxi

    Dell: https://www.dell.com/support/home/product-support/vmware-esxi

    Lenovo: https://datacentersupport.lenovo.com/

    Download the relevant files and transfer them to your vCenter environment, ideally to a machine that     can access the vCenter UI.

Step 2: Upload Offline Bundle to vLCM

    Login to vCenter Web Client.

    Go to Menu > Lifecycle Manager.

    Go to "Image Depot".

    Click "Import Updates" (top right).

    Upload your .zip file(s):

    Base ESXi Offline Bundle ZIP

    (Optional) Vendor Add-on ZIP

Step 3: Create or Update vLCM Image for Cluster

    Go to Hosts and Clusters view.

    Select your Cluster → Click "Updates" tab.

    Under "Image" section, click "Manage with a Single Image" (if not done yet).

    Click Edit to configure image:

    ESXi Version → Choose from uploaded ZIP

    Vendor Addon (optional)

    Firmware and Drivers Addon → Set to None if not using HSM/HPM

    Save changes.

Step 4: Check Compliance

    Once the image is set, run Check Compliance to verify cluster hosts match.

    If any hosts are out of compliance, remediate them using the Remediate option.