On the download page, you will see several file types. You want the full installation image.
A boot disk of at least 32GB (HDD, SSD, or NVMe). While ESXi can run on USB drives or SD cards, Version 7 is much harder on these devices; an SSD is the modern standard. Installation Steps download esxi 7
The most recent major milestone, offering the best compatibility and security patches. Where to Download ESXi 7 On the download page, you will see several file types
This usually means the standard ISO doesn't have drivers for your NIC. Download a vendor-specific ISO (like the Dell or HP customized image) to resolve this. On the download page
Plug the USB into your server and select it as the primary boot device.