Which protocol is specifically used for block storage services in a Nutanix environment?

In a Nutanix environment, the protocol specifically used for block storage services is iSCSI. This protocol is designed to facilitate the transport of block-level storage data over IP networks. iSCSI encapsulates SCSI commands into TCP packets, allowing for the management of storage devices over a network, which is especially relevant in virtualized data centers like those leveraging Nutanix.

By using iSCSI, Nutanix enables efficient and scalable block storage solutions that can be easily managed and deployed in various environments. This protocol is advantageous for applications that require fast data access, such as databases and transaction-oriented work, where low latency and high performance are critical.

Other protocols listed, such as SMB and NFS, are primarily utilized for file-based storage services rather than block storage. SMB (Server Message Block) is mainly used for sharing files and printers in Windows environments, while NFS (Network File System) serves similar functions in Unix/Linux setups. Fibre Channel, on the other hand, is a high-speed network technology primarily used in storage area networks (SANs) but is not the primary protocol in a Nutanix context for block storage. Thus, the selection of iSCSI as the correct answer aligns with Nutanix's architecture for