VCP-DCV Configure and Manage vSphere Networking Practice Question
A vSphere administrator needs to migrate a virtual machine from one ESXi host to another while the virtual machine remains powered on. The virtual machine has a single vNIC connected to a standard switch port group named 'Production'. The destination host is in the same cluster and has a standard switch with a port group named 'Production' but with different VLAN settings. What will happen if the administrator attempts a vMotion migration?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that vMotion preserves the source VLAN settings or that it fails if VLANs differ, when in reality it adopts the destination port group's VLAN settings.
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
✓
The vMotion migration will succeed, and the virtual machine will use the VLAN settings of the destination port group.
During a vMotion migration, the virtual machine's network adapter is reconnected to a port group on the destination host that has the same name as the source port group. The VLAN settings of the destination port group are applied, not the source. This means that if VLAN settings differ, the virtual machine will use the destination's VLAN after migration. The migration itself will succeed as long as the port group name exists, regardless of VLAN differences.
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 vMotion migration will fail because the VLAN settings are different.
Why it's wrong here
vMotion does not validate VLAN settings between source and destination port groups. It only checks for the existence of a port group with the same name. The migration will proceed even if VLAN settings differ, and the virtual machine will adopt the destination port group's VLAN configuration. Therefore, the migration will not fail due to differing VLAN settings.
- ✓
The vMotion migration will succeed, and the virtual machine will use the VLAN settings of the destination port group.
Why this is correct
vMotion requires that a port group with the same name exists on the destination host. The virtual machine's vNIC will be connected to that port group, and it will inherit the VLAN settings configured on that destination port group. Therefore, if the VLAN settings differ, the virtual machine will use the destination's VLAN settings after migration. This can cause connectivity issues if not planned for.
- ✗
The vMotion migration will fail because the port group names do not match exactly.
Why it's wrong here
vMotion does not require port group names to match exactly on source and destination. It only requires that a port group with the same name exists on the destination host, but the VLAN settings can differ. In fact, vMotion will succeed even if the VLAN settings are different, as long as the port group name matches. The name match is used to map the virtual machine's network adapter to the destination port group.
- ✗
The vMotion migration will succeed, and the virtual machine will continue to use the VLAN settings of the source port group.
Why it's wrong here
During vMotion, the virtual machine's network configuration is re-created on the destination host based on the destination port group. The VLAN settings are not carried over from the source; they are determined by the destination port group. Therefore, the virtual machine will use the VLAN settings of the destination port group, not the source. This option is incorrect because it misstates how network settings are applied during migration.
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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
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