VCP-DCV Configure and Manage vSphere Storage Practice Question
This VCP-DCV practice question tests your understanding of configure and manage vsphere storage. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
~ # esxcli storage nmp path list
fc.20000010a1234:5006016844e0a6a6-naa.600601607...-fc.20000010a1234:5006016844e0a6a7
State: active (optimized)
SATP: VMW_SATP_DEFAULT_AA
PSP: VMW_PSP_MRU
fc.20000010a1234:5006016844e0a6a7-naa.600601607...-fc.20000010a1234:5006016844e0a6a8
State: active (non-optimized)
SATP: VMW_SATP_DEFAULT_AA
PSP: VMW_PSP_MRU
fc.20000010a1234:5006016844e0a6a8-naa.600601607...-fc.20000010a1234:5006016844e0a6a9
State: active (non-optimized)
SATP: VMW_SATP_DEFAULT_AA
PSP: VMW_PSP_MRU
fc.20000010a1234:5006016844e0a6a9-naa.600601607...-fc.20000010a1234:5006016844e0a6a6
State: active (non-optimized)
SATP: VMW_SATP_DEFAULT_AA
PSP: VMW_PSP_MRU
An administrator notices that a VMFS datastore has only one optimized path. The exhibit shows the output of esxcli storage nmp path list for that datastore. What should the administrator do to fully utilize both storage controllers?
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
~ # esxcli storage nmp path list
fc.20000010a1234:5006016844e0a6a6-naa.600601607...-fc.20000010a1234:5006016844e0a6a7
State: active (optimized)
SATP: VMW_SATP_DEFAULT_AA
PSP: VMW_PSP_MRU
fc.20000010a1234:5006016844e0a6a7-naa.600601607...-fc.20000010a1234:5006016844e0a6a8
State: active (non-optimized)
SATP: VMW_SATP_DEFAULT_AA
PSP: VMW_PSP_MRU
fc.20000010a1234:5006016844e0a6a8-naa.600601607...-fc.20000010a1234:5006016844e0a6a9
State: active (non-optimized)
SATP: VMW_SATP_DEFAULT_AA
PSP: VMW_PSP_MRU
fc.20000010a1234:5006016844e0a6a9-naa.600601607...-fc.20000010a1234:5006016844e0a6a6
State: active (non-optimized)
SATP: VMW_SATP_DEFAULT_AA
PSP: VMW_PSP_MRU
A
Rescan the storage adapters.
Why wrong: Rescanning will not change the assigned SATP or improve path state recognition.
B
Change the PSP to Round Robin.
Why wrong: Changing PSP does not address the underlying path state classification; the SATP is responsible for path state management.
C
Enable the path failover policy.
Why wrong: Path failover does not change the SATP and will not utilize non-optimized paths effectively.
D
Change the SATP to VMW_SATP_ALUA.
VMW_SATP_ALUA correctly recognizes optimized and non-optimized paths, allowing the PSP to use both paths for I/O.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Change the SATP to VMW_SATP_ALUA.
The exhibit shows only one optimized path because the storage array uses Asymmetric Logical Unit Access (ALUA), which requires the VMW_SATP_ALUA SATP to properly recognize and manage both active/optimized and active/non-optimized paths. With the default SATP (e.g., VMW_SATP_DEFAULT_AA), the host treats all paths as active but fails to distinguish optimized from non-optimized paths, often resulting in only one path being used. Changing to VMW_SATP_ALUA allows the host to correctly identify the optimized path and actively use both storage controllers for load balancing.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Rescan the storage adapters.
Why it's wrong here
Rescanning will not change the assigned SATP or improve path state recognition.
✗
Change the PSP to Round Robin.
Why it's wrong here
Changing PSP does not address the underlying path state classification; the SATP is responsible for path state management.
✗
Enable the path failover policy.
Why it's wrong here
Path failover does not change the SATP and will not utilize non-optimized paths effectively.
✓
Change the SATP to VMW_SATP_ALUA.
Why this is correct
VMW_SATP_ALUA correctly recognizes optimized and non-optimized paths, allowing the PSP to use both paths for I/O.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume a Round Robin PSP alone will solve multipathing issues, but they overlook that the SATP must first correctly classify the path states for ALUA arrays before the PSP can distribute I/O across them.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ALUA-based arrays (e.g., EMC VNX, NetApp AFF) present LUNs with two path types: active/optimized (direct path to the owning controller) and active/non-optimized (through the peer controller). The VMW_SATP_ALUA SATP explicitly handles this by marking optimized paths as 'active' and non-optimized paths as 'active I/O' (or 'standby' depending on configuration), enabling the PSP to use both for I/O. Without this SATP, the host may incorrectly mark non-optimized paths as dead or leave them unused, even if the PSP is set to Round Robin.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the VCP-DCV exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Quick reference
Asymmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
Algorithm
Key Exchange
Signatures
Equivalent Security Key
Notes
RSA-3072
Yes
Yes
128-bit
Widely deployed; slow for bulk data
ECDSA P-256
No
Yes
128-bit
Fast signatures; standard TLS certs
ECDH / ECDHE
Yes
No
128-bit
Perfect forward secrecy in TLS 1.3
DH / DHE
Yes
No
128-bit (3072-bit key)
Replaced by ECDHE in modern TLS
Ed25519
No
Yes
~128-bit
SSH keys, modern PKI
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Configure and Manage vSphere Storage — This question tests Configure and Manage vSphere Storage — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Change the SATP to VMW_SATP_ALUA. — The exhibit shows only one optimized path because the storage array uses Asymmetric Logical Unit Access (ALUA), which requires the VMW_SATP_ALUA SATP to properly recognize and manage both active/optimized and active/non-optimized paths. With the default SATP (e.g., VMW_SATP_DEFAULT_AA), the host treats all paths as active but fails to distinguish optimized from non-optimized paths, often resulting in only one path being used. Changing to VMW_SATP_ALUA allows the host to correctly identify the optimized path and actively use both storage controllers for load balancing.
What should I do if I get this VCP-DCV question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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