Configure NFS Storage for VMware ESXi Using Windows Server 2022

Configuring NFS (Network File System) storage for VMware ESXi is one of the easiest and most flexible ways to provide shared storage for virtual machines, ISO images, templates, and backups. In this guide, you will learn how to set up NFS on Windows Server 2022, create a dedicated VMkernel port on ESXi, and successfully mount the NFS datastore.

This step-by-step tutorial is beginner-friendly and ideal for lab environments, home labs, and production setups where storage simplicity is preferred.

What You Will Learn

• Install and configure Windows Server 2022 NFS Server
• Create and share an NFS folder
• Configure Windows firewall for NFS
• Create a dedicated VMkernel port on ESXi for NFS traffic
• Mount the NFS datastore on VMware ESXi

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

• Windows Server 2022
  • Role: Domain Controller (optional)
  • IP: 192.168.91.129
• VMware ESXi Host
  • Version: ESXi 6.7/7.0/8.0
  • IP: 192.168.91.128

Both systems should be on the same subnet for best performance.

Step 1: Install NFS Server on Windows Server 2022

Open Server Manager

• Server Manager is the central dashboard in Windows Server for managing roles, features, storage, and networking.
• To open:
  • Click the Start menu → type Server Manager → press Enter
  • Or click the Server Manager icon on the taskbar.

You will see a dashboard with options like Local Server, All Servers, File and Storage Services, etc.

Click Manage → Add Roles and Features

On the top-right of Server Manager, click Manage

From the dropdown, select Add Roles and Features

This opens the Add Roles and Features Wizard, which will guide you through installing server roles or optional features.

Choose Role-based or Feature-based Installation

When prompted, select Role-based or feature-based installation. This is the standard method to install roles like NFS Server, DHCP, DNS, etc. Click Next.

Select the Target Server

You’ll see a list of available servers in your server pool. Select the Windows Server 2022 machine where you want to install NFS (your domain controller, in this case). Click Next.

File and Storage Services  
   → File and iSCSI Services  
        → Server for NFS

Click Install. Restart the server if required. NFS Server is now installed on Windows Server 2022.

Step 2: Create and Share an NFS Folder

Create a folder for NFS, for example:

C:\NFS_Share

Right-click the folder → Properties

Go to NFS Sharing → Click Manage NFS Sharing

Enable:

✔ Share this folder
✔ Allow read-write access
✔ Allow root access
✔ No Root Squash

Click Permissions and add your ESXi host:

Click OK to save changes.

Configure Windows Firewall for NFS

Enable firewall rules for NFS. Open PowerShell as Administrator.

Set-NetFirewallRule -DisplayGroup "Network File System" -Enabled True

Or manually allow:

• TCP 2049
• UDP 2049

This ensures ESXi can connect to the NFS share.

Click here to download VMware Esxi 8

Step 4: Create a Dedicated VMkernel Port on ESXi for NFS Traffic

VMkernel ports are special network interfaces on your ESXi host that handle host-level traffic. Unlike virtual machine NICs, VMkernel ports are used for services like:

• vMotion
• Management
• vSAN
• NFS and iSCSI storage

Creating a dedicated VMkernel port for NFS ensures that Storage traffic is isolated from management or VM traffic. Performance is optimized because NFS traffic does not compete with other network traffic. Troubleshooting becomes easier if you have multiple services.

Go to Networking → VMkernel NICs

Click Add VMkernel NIC. Select a vSwitch (example: vSwitch0 or a dedicated vSwitch)

Enter:

Network Label:
NFS-Port

VLAN ID:
0 (or your storage VLAN)

I have set DHCP on. it this VMkernel port will received IP address automatically.

To check the IP address of this port, click on the Port Group name which is NFS Port. Here you can see the IP address assigned to this VMkernel NIC.

Test Connectivity From ESXi to Windows Server

SSH into your ESXi host and run:

vmkping 192.168.91.129

If you receive replies, your NFS VMkernel network is properly configured.

Read also How to Configure VMkernel Port for VMware vMotion

Step 6: Add NFS Datastore on ESXi

Go to Storage. Click New Datastore

Select NFS

Choose NFS 3 (best compatibility with Windows)

Enter:

Name:
Win2022-NFS

NFS Server:
192.168.91.129

Share Path:
/NFS-ESXi

NFS Version:
NFS 3

Click Next → Finish

Your NFS datastore should now appear under Storage.

At this point Windows Server 2022 is sharing the NFS folder. ESXi has a dedicated VMkernel port for storage traffic. The NFS datastore is available for storing VMs, ISOs, templates, and snapshots. This setup is ideal for labs and lightweight production workloads.

Conclusion

Setting up NFS storage for VMware ESXi using Windows Server 2022 is a quick and flexible way to expand your virtualization environment. Using a dedicated VMkernel port improves performance, enhances isolation, and follows VMware best practices. If you’re running a home lab, SMB environment, or testing vSphere features, NFS is one of the easiest and fastest storage solutions to deploy.