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 (From a Computer With Internet)

🧩 What You Need:

• 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)

• [Vendor Custom Addons & ISOs]:

  • 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.

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Step 2: Upload Offline Bundle to vLCM

1. Login to vCenter Web Client.

2. Go to Menu > Lifecycle Manager.

3. Go to "Image Depot".

4. Click "Import Updates" (top right).

5. Upload your .zip file(s):

   • Base ESXi Offline Bundle ZIP

   • (Optional) Vendor Add-on ZIP

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Step 3: Create or Update vLCM Image for Cluster

1. Go to Hosts and Clusters view.

2. Select your Cluster → Click "Updates" tab.

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

4. 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

5. Save changes.

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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.