This VCP-DCV practice question tests your understanding of configure and manage vsphere networking. 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.
An administrator is configuring a vSphere distributed switch. Which TWO are valid uplink teaming policies? (Choose two.)
Explicit failover order
Why wrong: Failover policy, not load balancing.
Route based on MAC hash
Why wrong: Valid but not listed in this scenario.
Route based on round robin
Why wrong: Not a valid VMware policy.
Route based on physical NIC load
Valid load balancing policy.
Route based on IP hash
Valid load balancing policy.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Route based on physical NIC load
Route based on physical NIC load (option D) is a valid uplink teaming policy in vSphere distributed switches. This policy uses the load metric from the physical NICs to distribute traffic, where the switch selects the uplink with the least current load for outbound traffic, as determined by the vSphere Distributed Switch's load balancing algorithm.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Explicit failover order
Why it's wrong here
Failover policy, not load balancing.
Route based on MAC hash
Why it's wrong here
Valid but not listed in this scenario.
Route based on round robin
Why it's wrong here
Not a valid VMware policy.
Route based on physical NIC load
Why this is correct
Valid load balancing policy.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Route based on IP hash
Why this is correct
Valid load balancing policy.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the valid teaming policies on distributed switches (which include 'Route based on physical NIC load' and 'Route based on IP hash') with those on standard switches (which include 'Route based on MAC hash' and 'Route based on round robin'), leading them to select the wrong options.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Valid but not listed in this scenario.
Detailed technical explanation
The 'Route based on physical NIC load' policy works by the vSphere Distributed Switch periodically querying each physical NIC's utilization (via the ESXi host's NIC driver) and selecting the uplink with the lowest load for new outbound flows. This is distinct from hash-based policies, which use a static hash of packet headers (e.g., IP hash) to pin flows to uplinks, and it does not require link aggregation (LACP) configuration. In real-world scenarios, this policy is useful when workloads have asymmetric traffic patterns that would cause uneven distribution with hash-based methods.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Configure and Manage vSphere Networking — This question tests Configure and Manage vSphere Networking — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Route based on physical NIC load — Route based on physical NIC load (option D) is a valid uplink teaming policy in vSphere distributed switches. This policy uses the load metric from the physical NICs to distribute traffic, where the switch selects the uplink with the least current load for outbound traffic, as determined by the vSphere Distributed Switch's load balancing algorithm.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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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