Which two block storage protocols are supported on vSphere?

The correct understanding revolves around the block storage protocols that vSphere can support.

In the context of vSphere, SAN (Storage Area Network) represents a crucial method of providing block-level storage to servers. This is achieved through protocols such as Fibre Channel or iSCSI, which facilitate highly efficient data transfer between servers and storage, essential for managing virtualized workloads. SAN systems allow vSphere to leverage storage resources effectively, delivering performance and reliability for virtual machines.

While SAN is indeed a major block storage solution, iSCSI is also widely supported in vSphere environments. iSCSI uses TCP/IP networks to transport SCSI commands over long distances, allowing for easy integration with existing network infrastructure. This makes it a valuable option alongside traditional SAN solutions.

The other options, such as SMB and NFS, are primarily associated with file storage protocols. While NFSv4.1 and NFSv3 can be utilized for file-sharing within vSphere, they do not function as block storage protocols, which is critical for understanding the storage support within a virtualization context.