The answer is insufficient host memory for the number of virtual machines, as the 95% memory utilization and 80% CPU usage directly indicate that VDI slow performance is being caused by over-provisioning memory. When a host server allocates more virtual RAM to its desktops than it physically possesses, the hypervisor is forced to rely on disk swapping, which creates severe latency and slowdowns during peak hours when all VMs are active. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of resource contention in virtualized environments—a common trap is to blame the CPU first, but memory exhaustion is the primary bottleneck here because swapping cripples responsiveness far more than high CPU alone. Remember the memory tip: “RAM is the desk, swap is the filing cabinet—if the desk is full, you spend all your time walking to the cabinet.”
220-1102 Virtualization and Cloud Technologies Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of virtualization and cloud technologies. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A user reports that their virtual desktop in a VDI environment is extremely slow during peak hours. The technician checks the host server and sees that memory utilization is at 95% and CPU is at 80%. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the performance issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Why wrong: A misconfigured virtual switch would cause network connectivity issues, not general slowness from high memory and CPU usage.
B
The host has insufficient memory for the number of VMs
With memory at 95%, the host is overcommitted, forcing the hypervisor to use disk swap, which drastically reduces performance. This is the most direct cause.
C
The guest OS needs a driver update
Why wrong: Driver updates might affect specific hardware functions but would not cause system-wide memory and CPU saturation across all VMs.
D
The virtual hard disks are not thin-provisioned
Why wrong: Thin provisioning affects storage efficiency, not memory or CPU utilization. It would not explain the high memory usage.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The host has insufficient memory for the number of VMs
In a VDI environment, over-provisioning resources like memory leads to resource contention and poor performance. The high memory utilization indicates the host does not have enough physical memory to support all running virtual desktops, causing swapping and slowdowns. This scenario tests understanding of resource allocation in virtualized environments.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The virtual switch is misconfigured
Why it's wrong here
A misconfigured virtual switch would cause network connectivity issues, not general slowness from high memory and CPU usage.
✓
The host has insufficient memory for the number of VMs
Why this is correct
With memory at 95%, the host is overcommitted, forcing the hypervisor to use disk swap, which drastically reduces performance. This is the most direct cause.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The guest OS needs a driver update
Why it's wrong here
Driver updates might affect specific hardware functions but would not cause system-wide memory and CPU saturation across all VMs.
✗
The virtual hard disks are not thin-provisioned
Why it's wrong here
Thin provisioning affects storage efficiency, not memory or CPU utilization. It would not explain the high memory usage.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1202 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1202 question in full detail.
Identify which 220-1202 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Virtualization and Cloud Technologies — This question tests Virtualization and Cloud Technologies — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The host has insufficient memory for the number of VMs — In a VDI environment, over-provisioning resources like memory leads to resource contention and poor performance. The high memory utilization indicates the host does not have enough physical memory to support all running virtual desktops, causing swapping and slowdowns. This scenario tests understanding of resource allocation in virtualized environments.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1202 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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