This VCP-DCV practice question tests your understanding of vsphere security. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 wants to prevent users in a custom role from powering off virtual machines that have Fault Tolerance enabled. Which privilege must be removed from the custom role?
VirtualMachine.State.Suspend
Why wrong: Suspend is not powering off; it saves state.
VirtualMachine.Interrupt.PowerOff
This privilege allows powering off a VM; removing it prevents power off.
VirtualMachine.Interrupt.Reset
Why wrong: Reset includes a power off, but the specific PowerOff privilege is more direct.
VirtualMachine.Interrupt.PowerOn
Why wrong: PowerOn is a separate privilege and does not control power off.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
VirtualMachine.Interrupt.PowerOff
Option A is correct. The 'Power Off' privilege directly controls the ability to power off a VM. Option B is incorrect because 'Power On' is a separate action. Option C is incorrect; 'Reset' also powers off but is not the primary control. Option D is incorrect because 'Suspend' is not powering off.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
VirtualMachine.State.Suspend
Why it's wrong here
Suspend is not powering off; it saves state.
VirtualMachine.Interrupt.PowerOff
Why this is correct
This privilege allows powering off a VM; removing it prevents power off.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
VirtualMachine.Interrupt.Reset
Why it's wrong here
Reset includes a power off, but the specific PowerOff privilege is more direct.
VirtualMachine.Interrupt.PowerOn
Why it's wrong here
PowerOn is a separate privilege and does not control power off.
Common exam traps
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related VCP-DCV questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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FAQ
vSphere Security — This question tests vSphere Security — Authentication checks who the user is..
The correct answer is: VirtualMachine.Interrupt.PowerOff — Option A is correct. The 'Power Off' privilege directly controls the ability to power off a VM. Option B is incorrect because 'Power On' is a separate action. Option C is incorrect; 'Reset' also powers off but is not the primary control. Option D is incorrect because 'Suspend' is not powering off.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related VCP-DCV questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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.
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