Which protocol is commonly used for connecting to storage in a VMware environment?

iSCSI is the correct answer because it is a widely adopted protocol for connecting to storage in VMware environments. It enables the transmission of SCSI commands over IP networks, allowing for block-level access to storage devices. This makes it particularly suitable for connecting storage area networks (SANs) to VMware infrastructure, facilitating high-performance storage solutions.

Using iSCSI, ESXi hosts can access storage devices and present them to virtual machines effectively. It is capable of leveraging existing Ethernet networks for storage traffic, making it a cost-effective choice for organizations looking to implement or scale their virtualized environments.

Other protocols like HTTP, SMTP, and FTP are designed for different functions within networking. HTTP is primarily used for web traffic, SMTP for email transmission, and FTP for file transfers. These protocols are not suited for storage connectivity in virtual environments, as they do not provide the block-level access required by VMware for managing virtual machine storage needs. This distinction highlights why iSCSI is an essential component within VMware infrastructure for storage solutions.