HOW TO: Create a Custom VCF 9.0 VMware ESXi 9.0 ISO with Realtek Driver (PowerCLI)

Author: Andy – Andysworld.org.uk

Good news for homelab enthusiasts! We finally have a working Realtek network driver for ESXi 9.0. In this guide, I’ll show you step-by-step how to create a customised VMware ESXi 9.0 ISO for VCF 9.0 with the Realtek driver injected (slipstreamed) using PowerShell 7 and VMware PowerCLI.

Why This Matters

If you’re running ESXi in a homelab environment using consumer hardware, Mini PCs, or whitebox builds, Realtek NIC support has historically been a challenge. With the latest Realtek driver available, we can now build a custom ESXi 9.0 ISO that works perfectly in lab environments.

This process allows you to:

• Inject the Realtek driver into the ESXi 9.0 image profile
• Create a bootable ISO installer
• Export an offline ZIP bundle

Important Disclaimer

ESXi 9.0 depot files require a valid Broadcom contract. I do not distribute depot files, customised ISOs, or any Broadcom software. Please obtain required files through official channels.

Prerequisites

• PowerShell 7
• VMware PowerCLI (latest version)
• Python 3.12
• VMware ESXi 9.0 Depot ZIP
• VMware Realtek Driver ZIP

Method 1 – Manual Image Build (PowerCLI)

Step 1 – Load the ESXi Depot

Add-EsxSoftwareDepot .\VMware-ESXi-9.0.0.0.24755229-depot.zip

Step 2 – Load the Realtek Driver Depot

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

Step 3 – List Available Image Profiles

Get-EsxImageProfile | Select Name

Step 4 – Clone the Standard Profile

$newProfile = New-EsxImageProfile `
-CloneProfile 'ESXi-9.0.0-14755229-standard' `
-Name 'ESXi-9.0.0-14755229-standard-Realtek-nic' `
-Vendor "Andysworld.org.uk"

Step 5 – Inject the Realtek Driver

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

Step 6 – Export the Custom ISO

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

Step 7 – Export the Offline Bundle

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

Step 8 – Verify Output

dir

You should now have both a customised ISO and ZIP bundle ready for deployment in your homelab.

Method 2 – Scripted Approach

If you prefer automation, you can use a PowerShell script to perform the entire process in one go. The script automates:

• Loading depot files
• Cloning image profiles
• Injecting the Realtek driver
• Exporting ISO and ZIP bundles

This method is ideal for repeat builds or lab rebuilds.

Who Is This For?

• Homelab enthusiasts
• VMware learners
• Mini PC / Whitebox ESXi users
• VCF 9.0 lab deployments

This guide is intended for lab and educational use only, not production environments.

Final Thoughts

Creating a custom ESXi image is a valuable skill for anyone running a VMware homelab. With the Realtek driver now available for ESXi 9.0, lab builders can continue using affordable hardware while staying current with VMware releases.

If you found this guide helpful, check out more VMware content here at Andysworld.org.uk.