In this post, we’re going to walk through how to create a customised VMware ESXi 8.0 ISO with the Realtek network driver injected. This is particularly useful for homelab users running ESXi on consumer or whitebox hardware where Realtek NICs are common.

With the release of the ESXi 8.0 Realtek Driver Fling, Realtek-based systems can once again be used for lab and learning environments without unsupported hacks.

What You Will Learn

• What ESXi depot files and image profiles are
• How to inject (slipstream) the Realtek driver into ESXi 8.0
• How to build a custom ESXi ISO and ZIP bundle
• Manual and scripted methods using PowerShell

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have the following:

• PowerShell 7 (required)
• VMware PowerCLI (or VMware Cloud Foundation PowerCLI)
• Python 3.12
• ESXi 8.0 depot ZIP file
• Realtek Driver Fling ZIP file

Note: ESXi 8.0.3e and 8.0.3f depot files are publicly available. Later versions such as 8.0.3g and 8.0.3h require a valid Broadcom support contract. I do not distribute depot files or customised ISOs.

Method 1: Manual ISO Creation

Add the ESXi Depot

Add-EsxSoftwareDepot .\VMware-ESXi-8.0U3h-25067014-depot.zip

Add the Realtek Driver Depot

Add-EsxSoftwareDepot .\VMware-Re-Driver_1.101.01-5vmw.800.1.0.20613240.zip

List Image Profiles

Get-EsxImageProfile | Select Name

Clone the Standard Profile

$newProfile = New-EsxImageProfile `
 -CloneProfile 'ESXi-8.0U3h-25067014-standard' `
 -Name 'ESXi-8.0U3h-25067014-standard-Realtek-nic' `
 -Vendor "Hancock's VMware Half Hour"

Inject the Realtek Driver

Add-EsxSoftwarePackage `
 -ImageProfile $newProfile `
 -SoftwarePackage "if-re"

Export the Custom ISO

Export-ESXImageProfile `
 -ImageProfile $newProfile `
 -ExportToIso `
 -FilePath "$($newProfile.Name).iso"

Export the ZIP Bundle (Optional)

Export-ESXImageProfile `
 -ImageProfile $newProfile `
 -ExportToBundle `
 -FilePath "$($newProfile.Name).zip"

Method 2: Scripted Approach

If you prefer automation, a PowerShell script called Hancocks-VMware-Half-Hour-ESXi-Customizer1.ps1 is available from GitHub and automates the entire process.

As shown in the video, even scripts can break — troubleshooting is part of the learning process.

Installation and Verification

• Boot your ESXi host using the custom ISO
• Complete the ESXi installation
• Verify that the Realtek NIC is detected during install

If the driver has been injected correctly, the Realtek network adapter will be visible and usable within ESXi.

Important Notes

• I do not provide ESXi depot files
• I do not provide customised ESXi ISOs
• I have no rights to distribute Broadcom software
• This guide is intended for lab and homelab use only

Final Thoughts

This is a major step forward for the homelab community. With the Realtek Driver Fling, ESXi 8.0 is once again a viable option on affordable hardware.

Thanks for reading, and as always — happy virtualising!

Andy
Andysworld.org.uk