Install VMware ESXi on an HPE ProLiant server

ESXi installs on a ProLiant like on any x86 server, but HPE publishes a Customized Image that adds what the server needs to be fully managed. This guide covers the HPE-specific parts: choosing the image, preparing BIOS and boot storage, the two install paths (Intelligent Provisioning or iLO virtual media), and the checks after installation. For the generic ESXi installer screens, host setup and vCenter, see Install VMware ESXi, vCenter and esxcli basics.

What the HPE Custom Image adds

According to HPE's release notes for the ESXi 8.0 U3 and 9.1 customized images, the image includes:

• HPE management tools: UEFI platform support, the HPE iLO driver, the SSACLI utility and the Integrated Smart Update Tool (iSUT) for firmware and driver updates through the iLO repository.
• VMware IOVP-certified drivers for HPE devices.
• The Agentless Management Service (AMS) for Agentless Management and Active Health.

Also note from the release notes: HPONCFG, BOOTCFG and CONREP are retired (use the HPE iLO RESTful Interface Tool instead), WBEM providers are not included because VMware removed WBEM support from ESXi 8.0, and the 9.1 image does not support HPE Blades or Gen9 and earlier servers.

Step 1 — Download the right image

1. Open the VMware ESXi Images for HPE Servers page.
2. Locate the ESXi release and image version you need.
3. Review the HPE VMware Support and Certification Matrix for that image.
4. Download the customized image for your server platform.

Read the release notes for the exact image (for example the ESXi 8.0 U3 notes for October 2026 or the ESXi 9.1 notes for May 2026) for known issues before you install.

Step 2 — Prepare BIOS and the boot device

1. Set a virtualization workload profile and confirm Intel VT, VT-d and SR-IOV (or the AMD equivalents). See HPE workload profiles for virtualization.
2. Choose the install target:
   • HPE NS204i boot device: HPE documents that these boot devices auto-create a RAID 1 volume during boot, need no configuration and use inbox NVMe drivers, and are compatible with VMware. Check the server QuickSpecs for which NS204i model your server supports.
   • A logical drive on a Smart Array or MR controller: create it first, see Create an array and logical drive with HPE SSA or MR controller RAID on Gen11.
3. If you install to an NVMe drive through iLO virtual media, the boot mode must be UEFI (Gen11 is UEFI-only).

Step 3 — Install ESXi

Option A: Intelligent Provisioning (F10)

Intelligent Provisioning 4.38 (Gen11) lists VMware vSphere 9.1, 9.0, 8.0 and 7.0; Intelligent Provisioning 3.92 (Gen10/Gen10 Plus) lists 9.0, 8.0 and 7.0. Supported sources include DVD, USB, CIFS, FTP, Internet repository (vSphere 8.0 and later) and virtual media in Always On mode. Follow the Intelligent Provisioning guide for the Rapid Setup screens.

Option B: iLO virtual media

1. Open the iLO HTML5 remote console and mount the HPE Custom Image ISO (Virtual Media > CD/DVD > Local *.iso file). Details are in iLO remote console and virtual media.
2. Reboot and boot from the virtual CD/DVD. If the server does not boot from it automatically, use the One-Time Boot Menu (F11 during POST, or System Utilities > One-Time Boot Menu).
3. Run the ESXi installer and select the NS204i volume or logical drive as the target.
4. After installation, eject the virtual media and reboot.

Step 4 — Verify the image and AMS

1. Confirm the HPE image profile: in the VMware Host Client open the host page under Configuration > Image Profile, or run:

   esxcli software profile get | grep Name

2. Check AMS in iLO: System Information > Health Summary, where AMS should show OK (installed and running).
3. On the host, HPE gives this command to check that AMS is running:

   /etc/init.d/amsdv status

If you installed a plain VMware image, HPE notes the iLO driver must be installed manually and AMS added separately. HPE's AMS release notes install the component offline bundle with esxcli, then reboot the host:

esxcli software component apply -d <ESXi local path><component.zip>

Step 5 — Keep firmware and drivers aligned

The SPP can deploy drivers and firmware to a Gen11 server running a supported ESXi version in online mode, and drivers are also published on the HPE vibsdepot. iSUT in the custom image handles updates staged through the iLO repository. Plan updates as described in HPE SPP firmware updates.

Frequently asked questions

Can I install the standard VMware ISO instead?

You can, but HPE states that with raw VMware images the iLO driver must be installed manually, and AMS is not included. Without AMS, iLO shows less component data and has no OS-specific information.

Why does the ESXi installer fail on a server with 8 GB of RAM?

HPE servers reserve part of the memory, so less than 8 GB is visible to ESXi. HPE's fix is to install more than 8 GB.

Checklist

• Model and ESXi version confirmed in the HPE VMware matrix.
• More than 8 GB RAM installed; virtualization profile applied.
• Boot target ready (NS204i or logical drive) and data backed up.
• HPE Custom Image installed; image profile name checked.
• AMS shows OK in iLO.
• Secure Boot re-enabled if you disabled it for Intelligent Provisioning.

Skyline can supply, configure and maintain Dell, HPE and Huawei servers under an annual maintenance contract (AMC). Contact us.