TrueNAS Core vs NFS vs ESX in 2024

[atakacs]

Hello

I am a bit confused about the state of NFS support as an ESX storage in TrueNAS Core in 2024.

Seeing lots of contradictory instructions / discussions etc (some dating years ago so probably not relevant).

Short of it: is current TrueNAS Core usable as a NFS store for current (7/8) ESX ?

 

[sretalla]

is current TrueNAS Core usable as a NFS store for current (7/8) ESX ?

Yes.

 

[atakacs]

Thanks !

 

[Elliot Dierksen]

I'll add another yes. See server specs in my signature. I have been using FreeNAS/TrueNAS for years from ESXi via NFS. It works quite well for me.

 

[firesyde424]

Hello

I am a bit confused about the state of NFS support as an ESX storage in TrueNAS Core in 2024.

Seeing lots of contradictory instructions / discussions etc (some dating years ago so probably not relevant).

Short of it: is current TrueNAS Core usable as a NFS store for current (7/8) ESX ?

We use approximately 3PB of mechanical and 1PB of flash storage, shared from TrueNAS Core and Enterprise appliances via NFS v3, to 43 ESXi 7 and ESXi 8 hosts for consumption as VMDK storage. It's reliable, stable, and performs well.

Be careful with NFS v4 as TrueNAS supports NFS v4.0 but not NFS v4.1 ESXi supports NFS v4.1 but not NFS v4.0. They are not 100% compatible and it can be a pain in the butt to deal with.