HPE support for VMware ESXi images

HPE supports VMware ESXi deployments on HPE Synergy using VMware‑provided base ESXi installation media combined with HPE‑supplied drivers and management software. These components together provide a starting point for a successful ESXi installation on HPE Synergy compute modules.

For earlier VMware ESXi releases, HPE Synergy Custom ESXi images were provided and remain available where applicable. Beginning with HPE Synergy Service Pack (SSP) 2026.01.xx, HPE no longer provides Synergy‑specific ESXi custom ISO images. Customers should use the VMware base ESXi image and apply HPE‑supported components delivered through the HPE SSP.

VMware ESXi patches and security updates obtained directly from VMware (Broadcom) may be installed on HPE Synergy systems. Installed updates are reflected by a higher ESXi build number than the original baseline image. These patches are supported provided they do not cross a VMware ESXi “update” boundary (for example, 8.0 Update 2 to 8.0 Update 3) or introduce drivers that conflict with the supported HPE Synergy software release.

Updated HPE AddOns delivered in the HPE SSPs are not required to update the VMware base image. For example, if VMware releases a patch, the patch can be installed directly without any changes to the HPE AddOn and SSP, provided that the conditions in the previous paragraph are met. This is supported, even if the patch is not listed in Recommended VMware Lifecycle Manager Desired Image Definitions for HPE Synergy.

HPE Management and Utilities offline bundles may be added, removed, or updated as needed to ensure accurate hardware inventory reporting and integration with HPE Synergy management tools.

Driver updates might be required to match a supported HPE Synergy software release. See the "Driver updates" section on the VMware OS Support page, which provides guidance on whether the selected OS version requires driver updates to be supported with the indicated HPE SSPs.

VMware ESXi and vSphere updates are supported using standard VMware lifecycle and update tools, including VMware Lifecycle Manager (vLCM).

Although drivers and components may be obtained from other sources such as vibsdepot, the firmware and driver versions installed on HPE Synergy compute modules must remain compliant with the selected HPE Synergy management configuration and the applicable HPE SSP.

For HPE recommended VMware Lifecycle Manager Desired Image definitions, see https://vibsdepot.hpe.com/synergy/Valid-vLCM-Combos-Synergy.pdf