VCP-DCV Configure and Manage vSphere Networking Practice Question
A vSphere administrator is deploying a vSphere Distributed Switch (vDS) version 7.0. The environment has ESXi hosts with hardware version 7.0. The administrator needs to ensure that the vDS supports Network I/O Control version 3 (NIOCv3). What must be true for NIOCv3 to function correctly?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates assume upgrading the vDS version alone is sufficient to enable NIOCv3, overlooking the critical requirement that every host in the cluster must also be running ESXi 7.0 or later for the feature to function.
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
✓
All hosts must be running ESXi 7.0 or later.
NIOCv3 is a feature introduced with vSphere 7.0 that provides granular bandwidth allocation and reservation for network traffic. For NIOCv3 to function correctly, all ESXi hosts attached to the vDS must be running ESXi 7.0 or later because the feature relies on kernel-level enhancements and the vSphere Network Resource Management (vNRM) agent that are only present in that version. Hosts on earlier versions lack the necessary drivers and scheduling capabilities, causing NIOCv3 to be unavailable or non-functional.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
All hosts must be running ESXi 7.0 or later.
Why this is correct
NIOCv3 requires ESXi 7.0 or later.
- ✗
The vDS must be configured with Route based on IP hash teaming.
Why it's wrong here
Teaming policy does not affect NIOC.
- ✗
All hosts must have the vDS in Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) mode.
Why it's wrong here
NIOC does not require LACP.
- ✗
The vDS must have a Network Resource Pool configured.
Why it's wrong here
NIOC can be used without a Resource Pool.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.