Question 973 of 2,015

Virtual Machines and Hypervisors →mediumMultiple SelectObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The correct answer is that vMotion requires both source and destination hosts to share the same physical storage, while cold migration requires the VM to be powered off. This distinction is rooted in the technical nature of live migration: vMotion transfers the active memory and CPU state of a running VM across hosts, but because the VM’s disk files remain on shared storage (such as a SAN or NAS), they do not need to be moved during the process. Cold migration, by contrast, powers down the VM entirely, allowing its configuration and disk files to be relocated between datastores or hosts without the need for shared storage. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this concept tests your understanding of virtualization fundamentals and often appears as a trap where candidates confuse Storage vMotion—which moves files between datastores—with standard vMotion. A common memory tip is: “vMotion moves the brain (memory), not the body (storage); cold migration moves the whole body while it sleeps.”

CCNP Virtual Machines and Hypervisors Practice Question

This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of virtual machines and hypervisors. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.

Which two statements about virtual machine migration (vMotion and cold migration) are true? (Choose two.)

Question 1mediummulti select

Full question →

A
vMotion migrates a running virtual machine from one host to another with no downtime.
Why wrong: Incorrect because vMotion has a brief period of downtime (sub-second) as the VM is paused and resumed; it is not zero downtime.
B
Cold migration requires the virtual machine to be powered off before it can be moved to a different host.
Correct because cold migration moves a VM that is in a powered-off state.
C
Storage vMotion allows the virtual machine's disk files to be moved between datastores while the VM remains running.
Correct because Storage vMotion migrates VM storage without powering off the VM.
D
vMotion requires that both source and destination hosts share the same physical storage.
Correct because vMotion relies on shared storage to transfer memory state without moving disk data.
E
Cold migration can only be performed within the same vCenter Server and cannot move VMs to a different datacenter.
Why wrong: Incorrect because cold migration can move VMs across datacenters if the hosts are managed by the same vCenter or via cross-vCenter migration.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.

Correct answer & explanation

✓

Cold migration requires the virtual machine to be powered off before it can be moved to a different host.

vMotion allows live migration of a running VM with minimal downtime. Cold migration requires the VM to be powered off. Storage vMotion moves VM files between datastores. Shared storage is required for vMotion.

Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

✗
vMotion migrates a running virtual machine from one host to another with no downtime.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because vMotion has a brief period of downtime (sub-second) as the VM is paused and resumed; it is not zero downtime.
✓
Cold migration requires the virtual machine to be powered off before it can be moved to a different host.
Why this is correct
Correct because cold migration moves a VM that is in a powered-off state.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✓
Storage vMotion allows the virtual machine's disk files to be moved between datastores while the VM remains running.
Why this is correct
Correct because Storage vMotion migrates VM storage without powering off the VM.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✓
vMotion requires that both source and destination hosts share the same physical storage.
Why this is correct
Correct because vMotion relies on shared storage to transfer memory state without moving disk data.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Cold migration can only be performed within the same vCenter Server and cannot move VMs to a different datacenter.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because cold migration can move VMs across datacenters if the hosts are managed by the same vCenter or via cross-vCenter migration.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic

NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.

KKey Concepts to Remember

Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.

TExam Day Tips

Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.

Key takeaway

NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.

Real-world example

How this comes up in practice

A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 350-401 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 350-401 question test?

Virtual Machines and Hypervisors — This question tests Virtual Machines and Hypervisors — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Cold migration requires the virtual machine to be powered off before it can be moved to a different host. — vMotion allows live migration of a running VM with minimal downtime. Cold migration requires the VM to be powered off. Storage vMotion moves VM files between datastores. Shared storage is required for vMotion.

What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?

What is the key concept behind this question?

Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.

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Same concept, more angles

1 more ways this is tested on 350-401

These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.

Variation 1. Which two statements about virtual machine migration (vMotion/VMware) or live migration (Hyper-V) are true? (Choose two.)

medium

A.During live migration, the virtual machine must be powered off to transfer memory contents.
✓ B.Live migration copies the memory state of the VM from the source host to the destination host while the VM continues to run.
C.Live migration requires that both source and destination hosts use the same shared storage for the VM's virtual disks.
✓ D.Both source and destination hosts must have compatible CPU feature sets to ensure the VM does not encounter instruction errors after migration.
E.After a live migration, the virtual machine's IP address changes to match the new network segment.

Why B: Live migration moves a running VM between hosts with minimal downtime. Option B is correct because live migration typically copies memory pages iteratively while the VM runs. Option D is correct because both the source and destination hosts must have compatible CPU features (e.g., same CPU family or Enhanced vMotion Compatibility). Option A is incorrect because the VM must remain powered on during live migration. Option C is incorrect because shared storage is often used but not mandatory; storage vMotion can migrate without shared storage. Option E is incorrect because the VM retains its IP address and network state after migration.

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