VCP-DCV Configure and Manage vSphere Networking Practice Question
This VCP-DCV practice question tests your understanding of configure and manage vsphere networking. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A vSphere administrator notices that after adding a new ESXi host to a vSphere Distributed Switch (vDS), some VMs on existing hosts lose network connectivity intermittently. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
The vDS MTU setting does not match the physical network MTU.
If the vDS uses jumbo frames (MTU 9000) but the physical switch or new host has MTU 1500, large packets may be fragmented or dropped, causing intermittent connectivity.
B
The new host's physical uplink is faulty, causing broadcast storms.
Why wrong: A faulty uplink would likely cause loss for VMs on that host, not on other hosts.
C
The vDS is configured with LACP, and the new host's links are not properly bundled.
Why wrong: Misconfigured LACP would affect the new host primarily, not intermittent loss on existing hosts.
D
The vDS Network I/O Control settings are not evenly distributed.
Why wrong: NIOC affects performance under contention, not connectivity.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The vDS MTU setting does not match the physical network MTU.
Option D is correct because if the Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) is inconsistent across the vDS and physical network, it can cause packet drops and intermittent connectivity. Option A is incorrect because a physical uplink failure affecting all VMs is unlikely to occur only after adding a new host. Option B is incorrect because LACP issues would cause complete failure or reduced throughput, not intermittent connectivity on existing hosts. Option C is incorrect because Network I/O Control is about bandwidth allocation, not connectivity loss.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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 vDS MTU setting does not match the physical network MTU.
Why this is correct
If the vDS uses jumbo frames (MTU 9000) but the physical switch or new host has MTU 1500, large packets may be fragmented or dropped, causing intermittent connectivity.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
The new host's physical uplink is faulty, causing broadcast storms.
Why it's wrong here
A faulty uplink would likely cause loss for VMs on that host, not on other hosts.
✗
The vDS is configured with LACP, and the new host's links are not properly bundled.
Why it's wrong here
Misconfigured LACP would affect the new host primarily, not intermittent loss on existing hosts.
✗
The vDS Network I/O Control settings are not evenly distributed.
Why it's wrong here
NIOC affects performance under contention, not connectivity.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related VCP-DCV subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Configure and Manage vSphere Networking — This question tests Configure and Manage vSphere Networking — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The vDS MTU setting does not match the physical network MTU. — Option D is correct because if the Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) is inconsistent across the vDS and physical network, it can cause packet drops and intermittent connectivity. Option A is incorrect because a physical uplink failure affecting all VMs is unlikely to occur only after adding a new host. Option B is incorrect because LACP issues would cause complete failure or reduced throughput, not intermittent connectivity on existing hosts. Option C is incorrect because Network I/O Control is about bandwidth allocation, not connectivity loss.
What should I do if I get this VCP-DCV question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related VCP-DCV subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Question Discussion
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