Which file system protocol is supported by vSphere?

The vSphere platform supports the NFS (Network File System) protocol, which enables file-based storage solutions that can be accessed over a network. NFS is widely utilized in VMware environments because it allows for flexible, scalable, and efficient storage management. It provides seamless integration for virtual machines, facilitating easy deployment and storage of virtual disks.

Using NFS, vSphere can handle multiple workflows and requirements associated with virtual machine storage. This includes the ability to store VM files and virtual disks in a centralized manner while allowing for easy sharing across different hosts in a VMware cluster. Additionally, NFS supports features like snapshots and cloning, which are beneficial in a virtualized environment.

While other options listed have relevance in a VMware ecosystem, NFS specifically aligns with the file system protocol capabilities required for direct file access in vSphere environments. SAN (Storage Area Network) and iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface) are related to block storage and might not directly represent a file system protocol like NFS does. vSAN, on the other hand, is VMware's own storage solution which aggregates local storage from hosts in a cluster, but it doesn't function as a traditional file system protocol like NFS.