VCP-DCV Configure and Manage vSphere Networking Practice Question
An administrator configures a VDS with two uplinks and sets the load balancing policy to 'Route based on IP hash'. What additional configuration is required on the physical switches to ensure proper traffic distribution?
⚠ Common exam trap
VCP-DCV often tests the distinction between static EtherChannel (for IP hash) and LACP (for dynamic LAG), causing candidates to pick LACP when the question specifies IP hash without LACP.
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
✓
Configure a static EtherChannel.
'Route based on IP hash' on a vSphere Distributed Switch requires the physical switch ports to be configured as a static EtherChannel (or equivalent LAG). IP hash uses a hash of source and destination IPs to select an uplink, and the physical switch must treat the uplinks as a single logical link so return traffic flows correctly.
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 individual ports with no aggregation.
Why it's wrong here
Individual, unaggregated switch ports cannot form the port channel that IP hash depends on; the switch would treat each uplink as a separate link, causing loops or dropped traffic. Separate ports suit policies like route based on originating virtual port, where no switch-side aggregation is needed.
- ✗
Set port security to allow multiple MAC addresses.
Why it's wrong here
Port security limits source MAC addresses per port; it does not create the EtherChannel that IP hash requires. IP hash hashes each flow across uplinks, and the physical switch ports must be bundled into a static port channel so the switch treats them as one logical link. Port security suits access-layer hardening against MAC flooding.
- ✗
Enable Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP).
Why it's wrong here
LACP negotiates a dynamic EtherChannel, but IP hash on a VDS expects a static EtherChannel configured on the physical switch. Enabling LACP on the switch ports would not match the vSphere side, so traffic distribution fails. LACP is correct when the VDS uplink team uses the LACP load balancing policy instead.
- ✓
Configure a static EtherChannel.
Why this is correct
IP hash hashes each flow to one uplink based on source and destination IP, so the physical switch ports must be bundled into a static EtherChannel. Without that link aggregation, the switch treats the uplinks as separate links and may drop or misdirect traffic.
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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.