A given host machine in a virtualization system having a virtual distributed storage system may receive an iSCSI protocol packet from a computer system separate from the given host machine. Processing the iSCSI protocol may include accessing distributed storage device (iSCSI target) comprising storage connected to the two or more host machines in the virtualization system. The given host machine may generate an outbound iSCSI protocol packet comprising return data received from the target and send the outbound iSCSI protocol packet to the computer system.