Introduction
As the name suggests, the ESXi Image Builder is used to build ESXi bootable images. It is particularly useful when there is a need to custom-build an ESXi Image. For example, it can be used to custom-build ESXi Images with an updated device driver, for use in your vSphere Environment. VMware Auto Deploy leverages this ability of the ESXi Image Builder, to deploy stateless ESXi hosts.
The Image Builder requires the following data to proceed:
An ESXi Offline Bundle
Driver/Software Offline Bundles from the vendor-partners
VMware PowerCLI
Once you have all the required data, you can use ESXi Image Builder cmdlets to create an Image Profile using the ESXi offline depot.
The following task-flow is generally used to form an Image Profile:
Add the ESXi and the Driver/Software Offline Bundles to the software depot.
Clone a base profile and custom add/remove the VIBs.
Save or export the Image Profile to an ISO file, which can then be used to install/AutoDeploy new ESXi hosts.
The ESXi Image builder...
