VCP-DCV Configure and Manage vSphere Networking Practice Question
A vSphere administrator is configuring a vSphere Standard Switch (vSS) on an ESXi host. The host has two physical NICs, vmnic0 and vmnic1, connected to the same physical switch. The administrator wants to provide network redundancy for the VM network and ensure that if one uplink fails, traffic continues to flow. Which failover detection method should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse teaming policies with failover detection methods; beacon probing is a detection method, but it is not necessary for simple link failure detection.
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
✓
Link status only
For a vSphere Standard Switch, the failover detection method can be either link status only or beacon probing. Link status only is the simplest and most common method, detecting failures based on the physical link state. Beacon probing is used for more complex failure detection but is not required for basic redundancy. The other options are teaming policies, not failover detection methods. Therefore, link status only is the correct choice.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Beacon probing
Why it's wrong here
Beacon probing sends beacon frames to detect failures beyond the immediate link, such as a misconfigured switch or a spanning tree issue. However, it requires that all uplinks be connected to the same broadcast domain and that the physical switch pass beacon frames. It is not necessary for simple redundancy and can introduce complexity. In this scenario, link status only is sufficient and more straightforward.
- ✓
Link status only
Why this is correct
Link status only detects failures based on the physical link state of the uplink. If a cable is unplugged or the switch port goes down, the link status changes and failover occurs. This method is simple and works well when the physical switch is configured correctly, as it detects failures at the physical layer. It is the default and recommended for most scenarios where beacon probing is not needed.
- ✗
Route based on physical NIC load
Why it's wrong here
Route based on physical NIC load is a load balancing policy that monitors uplink utilization and moves traffic to less utilized uplinks. It is not a failover detection method. Failover detection is configured separately under the NIC teaming settings. This policy is only available on vSphere Distributed Switches, not on Standard Switches, so it cannot be used here.
- ✗
Route based on IP hash
Why it's wrong here
Route based on IP hash is a teaming policy, not a failover detection method. It determines how traffic is distributed across uplinks based on source and destination IP addresses. It does not detect link failures; failover detection is a separate setting. Using IP hash requires Etherchannel configuration on the physical switch, which is not mentioned in the scenario.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official VMware exam blueprint
This VCP-DCV practice question is part of Courseiva's free VMware certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the VCP-DCV exam.