The correct answer is the Separate Virtual Machines rule because it enforces that two specified virtual machines always run on different physical hosts within a DRS cluster. This rule type is designed to guarantee fault isolation for critical workloads, ensuring that a single host failure does not take down both VMs simultaneously. On the VMware Certified Professional Data Center Virtualization VCP-DCV exam, this concept tests your understanding of DRS affinity and anti-affinity rules, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must choose between keeping VMs together or apart. A common trap is confusing the Separate Virtual Machines rule with the Keep Virtual Machines Together rule, which does the opposite by forcing VMs onto the same host. Remember the memory tip: “Separate means spread apart for safety, together means tether for performance.”
VCP-DCV vSphere Architecture, Products and Solutions Practice Question
This VCP-DCV practice question tests your understanding of vsphere architecture, products and solutions. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
An administrator configures DRS on a cluster with two hosts. The administrator wants to ensure that two critical VMs (VM1 and VM2) always run on separate hosts. Which rule type should the administrator create?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "always"
Why it matters: Absolute qualifier. An answer using 'always' is only correct if there are genuinely no exceptions — absolute statements are often wrong in networking.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Separate Virtual Machines
Option B is correct because 'Separate Virtual Machines' rule ensures VMs run on different hosts. Option A is incorrect as 'Keep Virtual Machines Together' causes them to run on same host. Option C is incorrect because 'Virtual Machines to Hosts' rule is for affinity to specific hosts. Option D is incorrect as 'Host Affinity' is for VM groups to host groups.
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.
✓
Separate Virtual Machines
Why this is correct
This rule ensures VMs are on different hosts.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "always" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Virtual Machines to Hosts (Should run)
Why it's wrong here
This rule restricts VMs to a subset of hosts, not separation.
✗
Keep Virtual Machines Together
Why it's wrong here
This rule places VMs on the same host, opposite of requirement.
✗
Virtual Machines to Hosts (Must not run)
Why it's wrong here
This rule prohibits VMs from running on specific hosts, but does not enforce separation from each other.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which VCP-DCV exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
vSphere Architecture, Products and Solutions — This question tests vSphere Architecture, Products and Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Separate Virtual Machines — Option B is correct because 'Separate Virtual Machines' rule ensures VMs run on different hosts. Option A is incorrect as 'Keep Virtual Machines Together' causes them to run on same host. Option C is incorrect because 'Virtual Machines to Hosts' rule is for affinity to specific hosts. Option D is incorrect as 'Host Affinity' is for VM groups to host groups.
What should I do if I get this VCP-DCV question wrong?
Identify which VCP-DCV exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "always". Absolute qualifier. An answer using 'always' is only correct if there are genuinely no exceptions — absolute statements are often wrong in networking.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.