VCP-DCV Configure and Manage vSphere Storage Practice Question
An administrator needs to migrate a VM from a VMFS5 datastore to a vSAN datastore while preserving the storage policy. Which migration method should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is confusing vMotion (compute migration between hosts) with Storage vMotion (datastore migration) — candidates pick vMotion because it sounds like the general migration tool, missing that storage movement requires Storage vMotion.
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
✓
Storage vMotion
Storage vMotion migrates a VM's virtual disks from one datastore to another while the VM remains powered on, and it preserves the VM's storage policy (e.g., vSAN storage policy). It is the correct method for moving a VM between datastores without downtime.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Cold migration
Why it's wrong here
Cold migration moves a powered-off VM between datastores but does not apply a vSAN storage policy to the migrated objects, so the policy requirement goes unmet. It is tempting because it is the simplest datastore-to-datastore move and would be correct when no policy assignment or live availability is needed.
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Clone
Why it's wrong here
Clone creates a new VM with a new identity and does not preserve the source VM's storage policy assignment during the copy operation; it is intended for duplicating VMs or templates, not relocating an existing VM between datastores. Storage vMotion migrates the VM in place, retaining its storage policy.
- ✓
Storage vMotion
Why this is correct
Storage vMotion relocates a VM's virtual disks between datastores while the VM runs, and it carries the assigned VM storage policy to the destination. That satisfies the requirement to move from VMFS5 to vSAN without reconfiguring the policy manually.
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vMotion
Why it's wrong here
vMotion relocates a running VM's compute state between hosts and, with shared storage, can move files, but it does not by itself convert the VM's datastore format or reassign a vSAN storage policy during the move. It is tempting because vMotion is the standard live migration tool, and it would be correct for host-only moves within shared storage.
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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
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