VCP-DCV Configure and Manage vSphere Storage Practice Question
A vSphere administrator needs to create a VMFS6 datastore on a new 4 TB LUN presented to an ESXi 7.0 host. The LUN is not yet formatted. Which method should the administrator use to create the datastore?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that command-line tools like vmkfstools or partedUtil are required for creating VMFS datastores, when the vSphere Client is the standard method.
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
✓
Use the vSphere Client to add storage and select VMFS6.
The vSphere Client provides a straightforward wizard to create a VMFS6 datastore on an unformatted LUN. This method ensures correct partitioning, alignment, and registration with the ESXi host. It is the supported and recommended approach for ESXi 7.0, avoiding manual errors and ensuring compatibility.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use the ESXi Shell and run the partedUtil command to create a GPT partition.
Why it's wrong here
partedUtil is a low-level partitioning tool, not a datastore creation tool. While it can create partitions, it does not format them with VMFS6 or register the datastore with the host. Using it alone would not produce a functional VMFS6 datastore and is not the recommended approach for this task.
- ✗
Use the ESXi Shell and run the vmkfstools command to format the LUN.
Why it's wrong here
vmkfstools is used for managing virtual disks and creating VMFS datastores only in specific legacy scenarios. It is not the primary tool for creating VMFS6 datastores on a new LUN. The vSphere Client is the recommended method because it handles partitioning and alignment correctly. Using vmkfstools manually can lead to misconfiguration.
- ✓
Use the vSphere Client to add storage and select VMFS6.
Why this is correct
The vSphere Client provides a guided workflow to create a VMFS6 datastore on an unformatted LUN. This is the standard and recommended method for ESXi 7.0, as it automatically applies the correct partition layout and block size. It ensures compatibility and proper alignment without manual intervention.
- ✗
Use the vSphere Client to create an NFS datastore and then convert it to VMFS6.
Why it's wrong here
NFS datastores are network file systems and cannot be converted to VMFS6. VMFS is a block-based file system that requires a block storage device. This method is technically impossible and does not address the requirement of creating a VMFS6 datastore on a block LUN.
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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.