VCP-DCV Configure and Manage vSphere Storage Practice Question
A vSphere administrator needs to increase the size of a VMFS6 datastore that is running low on free space. The underlying LUN has 500 GB of unallocated space. The administrator expands the LUN on the storage array and then rescans the storage adapter. What should the administrator do next to grow the datastore?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is thinking that command-line tools like vmkfstools or partedUtil are needed to expand a VMFS datastore, when the vSphere Client provides a simple wizard.
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 increase the datastore capacity.
After expanding the LUN and rescanning, the additional space appears as free on the device. The vSphere Client's 'Increase Datastore Capacity' wizard allows you to expand the VMFS6 datastore into that free space. This is the supported and safe method, ensuring the file system is properly grown and the datastore remains consistent.
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 vSphere Client to increase the datastore capacity.
Why this is correct
After expanding the LUN and rescanning, the vSphere Client will show the additional free space on the device. The administrator can then use the 'Increase Datastore Capacity' wizard to expand the VMFS6 datastore into the newly available space. This is the supported method and ensures the file system is grown correctly.
- ✗
Use the vSphere Client to create a new datastore on the free space and then extend the original datastore.
Why it's wrong here
Creating a new datastore on the free space and then extending the original datastore is not a supported operation. VMFS datastores cannot be merged in this manner. The correct approach is to expand the existing datastore directly using the available free space on the same LUN.
- ✗
Use the ESXi Shell and run the vmkfstools command to expand the datastore.
Why it's wrong here
vmkfstools is used for managing virtual disks and creating datastores, but it does not have a direct command to expand an existing VMFS datastore. The correct tool for expanding a VMFS datastore is the vSphere Client or the vmkfstools -G command, which is not typically used for this purpose. The vSphere Client is the recommended method.
- ✗
Use the ESXi Shell and run the partedUtil command to resize the partition.
Why it's wrong here
partedUtil can resize partitions, but it does not expand the VMFS file system. After resizing the partition, the file system would still need to be grown using other tools. This is a low-level, error-prone method and not the recommended approach for expanding a VMFS6 datastore.
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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.