Log into the Cisco Integrated Management Controller (CIMC).
This guide covers why you need the custom image, where to find the top download links, and how to install it correctly. Why Use the Cisco Custom ISO?
Cisco often hosts the ISOs directly on their site for UCS users. Go to . Select Unified Computing (UCS) . Choose your server model (e.g., C-Series Rack Mount). Look for VMware Software in the download tree. Compatibility Checklist vmware esxi cisco custom iso top download
Open the Virtual KVM Console and select "Connect CD/DVD."
Browse to the downloaded Cisco Custom ISO on your local machine. Log into the Cisco Integrated Management Controller (CIMC)
The ESXi installer will load with all Cisco drivers pre-loaded. Troubleshooting Common Issues
Native CIMC integration for hardware status. Cisco often hosts the ISOs directly on their
💡 If you are updating an existing host, you can often use the Cisco Offline Bundle ( .zip file) via the ESXi command line ( esxcli ) instead of a full ISO reinstall.
Choose the virtual CD/DVD as the primary boot device.
This usually indicates a corrupted download. Always verify the MD5 or SHA checksum provided on the Broadcom or Cisco download page before mounting the image.