How To SlipStream Latest VMware ESXi patches into an Installation ESXi ISO File

This comes back on a regular basis. Users asking how they can create an installation ISO with the latest VMware patches in it. In this post we'll walk you through the process, we will learn How To SlipStream Latest VMware ESXi patches into an Installation ESXi ISO File.

We have created a guide on this in the past, but as new information came in and the process had slightly changed, we decided to create a completely new how to post about it.

As a result, you'll obtain the latest ESXi installation ISO with the latest patches. This is not only useful when you're doing a proof of concept work (POC) but also through your day-to-day operations, client's installations or simply playing with VMware Workstation and nested ESXi hypervisors.

VMware nested virtualization is still very popular as it allows you to spin an ESXi lab which does not need much hardware and still learn how to configure. Of course, if you want/need to run more than a couple of VMs, it's better to install ESXi on dedicated hardware with more RAM.

Running a home-lab on VMware Workstation is kind of running it on steroids. However, VMware Workstation allows using the same system as a gaming box or desktop workstation at the same time when you need to work on validation or you have some product which you want to learn more.

How To SlipStream Latest VMware ESXi patches into an Installation ESXi ISO File – The Steps:

Step 1: Download the latest ESXi patch from this location.

When you go and download the latest patches from VMware patch portal, no need to worry whether you need to download all of them or not. Pick just the latest one as they are cumulative.

In the patch portal, first, select the drop-down menu and pick ESXi (Embedded and Installable), then pick a version and click the Search Button

You can also check our detailed post about How to install the latest ESXi patch.

Step 2: Install PowerCLI

Note: the process of installing PowerCLI has changed. Now you have to uninstall the MS Installer MSI package (if you have installed it previously) and then only you install the PowerCLI via PowerShell.

Install-Module -Name VMware.PowerCLI –Scope CurrentUser

This is it. The modules are installed to $home\Documents\WindowsPowerShell\Modules.

You can also check a VMware blog post on how to install VMware PowerCLI.

Here is a list of modules which got installed.

Step 3: Create a “temp” folder on your local drive and copy the latest patch there.

Then “cd” to that folder and launch this command

Add-EsxSoftwareDepot ESXi670-201903001.zip

PS C:\Users\Administrator> cd c:\temp
PS C:\temp> Add-EsxSoftwareDepot ESXi670-201903001.zip

Depot Url
———
zip:C:\temp\ESXi670-201903001.zip?index.xml

Then run this command:

Get-ESXimageProfile | ft -AutoSize

You'll get this as an output.

Name Vendor Last Modified Acceptance Level
—- —— ————- —————-
ESXi-6.7.0-20190304001-no-tools VMware, Inc. 27/03/2019 03:52:07 PartnerSupported
ESXi-6.7.0-20190304001-standard VMware, Inc. 27/03/2019 03:52:07 PartnerSupported

Pick the “standard” one if you're planning to use this ISO for installations (not for auto-deploy).

Then run this:

Export-ESXImageProfile -ImageProfile ESXi-6.7.0-20190304001-standard -ExportToISO -FilePath ESXi-6.7-latest.iso

You'll create a new ISO file. I named it simply “ESXi-6.7-latest.iso” but you can perfectly name it differently and have an exact built number too. But for the purpose of this demonstration, it's just fine. We have the new ISO created just next to the cumulative patch we downloaded from VMware.

And we can check that the new slipstreamed iso is the most recent build compared to the original ISO:

In fact, you don't even need the installation iso. The latest cumulative patch as ZIP file can be used to extract and build the ISO.

Well, this is about it. You might find it useful.

Final Words

It is important to know how things works if you're learning VMware technology and you want to become VMware certified professional, it's also useful to have a small homelab. Whether you want to have several physical hosts and shared storage or just a one big Workstation running ESXi or VMware Workstation, you can learn new features and new tricks.

There are also other possibilities, like VMware Labs or Ravello for vExperts. You can search our blog for how-to's and tutorial on that too. Important is to keep learning. Check out other How-to articles at vSphere 6.7 Page.

If you're learning towards VCP-DCV 2019 Professional exam, follow the progress of the VCP6.7-DCV Study Guide page for further updates.

More from ESX Virtualization

• What is VMware Platform Service Controller (PSC)?
• What is vCenter Embedded Linked Mode in vSphere 6.7?
• VMware vExpert 2019 – This is vExpert x11
• How To Reset ESXi Root Password via Microsoft AD
• How to Patch VMware vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA) 6.7 Offline

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