VCP-DCV vSphere Architecture, Products and Solutions Practice Question
An administrator wants to deploy a new ESXi host using vSphere Lifecycle Manager (vLCM). The host has a different hardware version than the cluster baseline. Which action is required?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse host profiles (which apply configuration) with vLCM image-based management (which enforces hardware compatibility), leading them to incorrectly choose host profiles as the solution.
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
✓
Create a separate cluster with a compatible image specification for the new host.
vSphere Lifecycle Manager (vLCM) uses image-based management, where a single image specification defines the exact software and firmware versions for all hosts in a cluster. If a host has a different hardware version, it cannot accept the same image because the hardware compatibility requirements differ. Creating a separate cluster with a compatible image specification allows the host to be managed independently with its own lifecycle baseline.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use a host profile to apply the configuration.
Why it's wrong here
Host profiles are separate from vLCM.
- ✓
Create a separate cluster with a compatible image specification for the new host.
Why this is correct
Hardware differences may require a different image.
- ✗
Replace the host hardware to match the baseline.
Why it's wrong here
Unnecessary; can manage with different images.
- ✗
Manually install the same ESXi version on the host before adding to the cluster.
Why it's wrong here
vLCM should manage installation if host is compatible.
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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.