VCP-DCV vSphere Architecture, Products and Solutions Practice Question
An administrator creates a DRS rule to separate two VMs (VM1 and VM2) using a 'Should' rule (separate VMs). After the rule is created, VM1 is manually vMotioned to a host that already runs VM2. What is the expected behavior?
⚠ Common exam trap
VCP-DCV often tests the difference between 'Must' and 'Should' DRS rules, and candidates may incorrectly assume that all rules are automatically enforced.
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
✓
VM1 remains on the host and a compliance violation is logged.
A 'Should' rule in DRS is a soft rule, meaning it is not strictly enforced. If an administrator manually vMotion's VM1 to a host running VM2, DRS will not automatically migrate it away; instead, it will log a compliance violation. The VM remains on the host, and the violation is recorded for review.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
VM1 remains on the host and a compliance violation is logged.
Why this is correct
A 'Should' rule is a soft preference, not a hard constraint. DRS permits the manual vMotion, keeps VM1 where placed, and records a compliance violation against the rule in the cluster's DRS compliance view, leaving remediation to the administrator.
- ✗
DRS automatically migrates VM1 to a compliant host.
Why it's wrong here
A 'Should' rule is a soft preference: DRS does not automatically migrate a VM to enforce it, and a manual vMotion that violates it is permitted. It would be correct for a 'Must' rule, where DRS remediates non-compliance.
- ✗
The target host is placed into maintenance mode.
Why it's wrong here
Maintenance mode is an administrator-initiated state for patching or evacuating a host, unrelated to DRS rule compliance. It is tempting as a way to force separation, but DRS reacts by migrating VMs, not by changing host state.
- ✗
VM1 is powered off to prevent performance issues.
Why it's wrong here
A 'Should' rule is a soft affinity recommendation, so DRS permits the placement and simply reports the violation; it never powers off a VM. Powering off is not a DRS action. A 'Must' rule would instead prevent the migration or trigger remediation, which is the scenario where enforcement occurs.
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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.