vmexplorer

Create an ESXi 6.0U2 installation ISO with Realtek 8168 Drivers

Posted on September 23, 2017 Updated on February 20, 2021

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02/2021 Update – I was asked to try these steps with ESXi 7.x and I can confirm this driver will not work. I stopped running Realtek NICs quite a while ago.  It’s not an issue with the steps but with ESXi 7.0.  It does not support drivers with Linux dependencies. The driver ‘net55-r8168 8.045a-napi’ has a Linux dependence that is not part of ESXi 7.0 and this is why it will not install.  See the error message below.  If you want to install ESXi 7.0, I’d recommend going with NIC that is on the VMware HCL or very close to it.

Add-EsxSoftwarePackage : VIB Realtek_bootbank_net55-r8168_8.045a-napi requires vmkapi_2_2_0_0, but the requirement cannot be satisfied within the ImageProfile.

09/2019 Update – I have created a updated blog and video showing how to create custom ISOs for ESXi.  Though it doesn’t include the Realtek drivers, one could use it for the same purpose.  Check it out here – Create-an-esxi-installation-iso-with-custom-drivers-in-9-easy-steps

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ESXi no longer supports Realtek Network drivers nor are they included on the installation ISO.  However, if you want to install ESXi 5.x and 6.x (7.x is not supported) with the Realtek drivers, then users will have to create a custom ISO. Keep in mind these drivers are NOT supported by VMware and should be used at your own risk.  Normally, I would use my trusty ESXi-Customizer GUI program but it is no longer supported for ESXi 6.  In replacement they offer a CLI supported program. However, instead of learning another 3rd party tool I’d rather rely on the VMware tools provided to me. VMware enables users to create custom ISOs via PowerCLI and in this blog I’ll explain how I used PowerCLI create my ISO. Keep in mind these are the steps that worked for me and your environment may vary.

NOTE: These steps do not work with ESXi 7.0.

— Required Tools and Files —

To get started you will need two files and PowerCLI Installed on a Windows PC.  You can skip these steps if you have the ESXi Offline Bundle, PowerCLI installed, and the RealTek Drivers.

STEP1: File 1: Download VMware 6.0U2 Offline Bundle ZIP >> www.vmware.com/download

STEP 2: File 2: Download RealTek 8186 Offline bundle >> https://vibsdepot.v-front.de/wiki/index.php/Net55-r8168

STEP 3: If you haven’t yet download and install PowerCLI >> https://communities.vmware.com/community/vmtn/automationtools/powercli

Tip: If you don’t know PowerCLI try starting here

STEP 4: Next Place the files from Step 1 and 2 into c:\tmp folder

–POWERCLI COMMANDS—

Now that you have your files and PowerCLI ready follow these steps.  For the steps below I included a screenshot and the actual commands. This will allow you to copy, paste, and edit these commands directly into your environment.

STEP 1: Open PowerCLI (Tip: If you don’t know PowerCLI try starting here)

STEP 2: Add ESXi 6.0u2 and RealTek8186 products to the local Software Depot (Tip: All commands below assume your files are located in the c:\tmp folder)

Add-EsxSoftwareDepot C:\tmp\update-from-esxi6.0-6.0_update02.zip

Add-EsxSoftwareDepot C:\tmp\net55-r8168-8.039.01-napi-offline_bundle.zip

STEP 3: Confirm the products are in the depot

Get-EsxSoftwareDepot

STEP 4:  List out the ESXi Image Profiles

Get-EsxImageProfile

TIP: Use ‘Get-EsxImageProfile | select name’ for a better view of the list.

STEP 5:  Create a Clone Image to be modified – Ensure you are targeting the “ESXi…..standard” profile from STEP 4

New-EsxImageProfile -cloneprofile ESXi-6.0.0-20160302001-standard -Name “RealTek8186a”

Forward-Looking Tip: Whatever ‘-Name’ you choose, it will show up in your boot ISO

STEP 6: You’ll have 2 entries in this step.  First,  we’ll Set the Acceptance Level to Community Supported (Remember RealTek is unsupported by VMware, hence “community supported”) and Second, for the ImageProfile you’ll enter the ‘-Name’ you choose in Step 5.

Set-EsxImageProfile -Name RealTek8186a -AcceptanceLevel CommunitySupported

For ImageProfile Enter the ‘-Name’ you choose in Step 5. I entered – RealTek8186a

STEP 7: Ensure the RealTek ‘net55-r8186’ driver is loaded from the local depot (Screenshot shortened)

Get-EsxSoftwarePackage

STEP 8: 3 Entries on this step.  First, we add the RealTek software package to the profile. Second, we put in the ImageProfile ‘-Name’ from step 5, and third we enter the SoftwarePackage name.

Add-EsxSoftwarePackage

ImageProfile: RealTek8186a

SoftwarePackage[0]: net55-r8168 8.039.01-napi

Tip: For the SoftwarePackage you MUST enter the full name, if you just use the short name it will not work

STEP 9: Validate the RealTek drivers are now part of the RealTek8186a Profile (Screenshot shortened)

(Get-EsxImageProfile “RealTek8186a”).viblist

STEP 10: Export the profile to an ISO

Export-EsxImageProfile -ImageProfile “RealTek8186a” -ExportToIso -FilePath c:\tmp\RealTek8186a.iso

And that’s it… You should find your new ISO in the c:\tmp folder.  From here you can burn your ISO to a media of your choice or boot the ISO via ilo, iDRAC, virtual media etc.

If you like my ‘no-nonsense’ blog articles that get straight to the point… then post a comment or let me know… Else, I’ll start writing boring blog content.