VCP-DCV vSphere Lifecycle Management Practice Question
An administrator manages a cluster of 10 identical ESXi hosts using vLCM with image-based management. After importing a new hardware support package (HSP) and applying a new image specification, 5 hosts report non-compliant with the error 'Firmware version not supported'. The compliant hosts and non-compliant hosts are from the same vendor model. What is the most likely cause?
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
✓
The firmware version on the non-compliant hosts is newer than what the hardware support package supports.
The error 'Firmware version not supported' indicates that the firmware on the non-compliant hosts is newer than what the hardware support package (HSP) supports. vLCM checks firmware compatibility against the HSP, and if the firmware version is outside the supported range, it reports non-compliance. Since all hosts are the same vendor model, the difference must be in firmware versions. Option A is incorrect because the image specification is applied cluster-wide via vLCM, not selectively per host. Option B is incorrect because all hosts are from the same vendor model. Option C is incorrect because the error is about firmware version, not download failure; the HSP is imported and available.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The image specification was applied only to the compliant hosts.
Why it's wrong here
Image specification applies cluster-wide; all hosts receive the same spec.
- ✗
The non-compliant hosts have a different manufacturer than the compliant ones.
Why it's wrong here
Hosts are identical hardware from same vendor.
- ✗
The vLCM service failed to download the HSP to the non-compliant hosts.
Why it's wrong here
HSP is imported once; download failure would affect all hosts.
- ✓
The firmware version on the non-compliant hosts is newer than what the hardware support package supports.
Why this is correct
vLCM checks firmware compatibility against the HSP; newer firmware causes non-compliance.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.