VCP-DCV Configure and Manage vSphere Networking Practice Question
An organization has deployed a vSphere Distributed Switch (vDS) across multiple ESXi hosts. The security team requires that no virtual machine can change its MAC address to impersonate another device. Which security policy setting on the distributed port group should be configured to fulfill this requirement?
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
✓
Set 'Forged transmits' to 'Reject'.
The 'Forged transmits' policy, when set to 'Reject', drops any outbound frames with a source MAC address different from the one assigned to the virtual NIC. This prevents a VM from impersonating another device by spoofing its MAC address. Option B is incorrect because 'MAC address changes' controls whether the VM can change its effective MAC address, but this does not prevent the VM from sending frames with a forged source MAC. Option C is incorrect because 'Promiscuous mode' allows the VM to see all traffic on the port, which is a security risk but unrelated to MAC impersonation. Option D is incorrect because traffic shaping limits bandwidth, not MAC security.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Set 'Forged transmits' to 'Reject'.
Why this is correct
When forged transmits is rejected, the vSwitch drops frames that do not originate from the VM's actual MAC address, thus preventing MAC spoofing.
- ✗
Set 'MAC address changes' to 'Reject'.
Why it's wrong here
This policy controls whether the VM guest OS can change the MAC address (e.g., via software), but it does not prevent the VM from sending frames with a forged source MAC.
- ✗
Set 'Promiscuous mode' to 'Reject'.
Why it's wrong here
Promiscuous mode rejection prevents the VM from receiving frames not destined for it, but does not prevent MAC impersonation.
- ✗
Enable traffic shaping and set a low average bandwidth.
Why it's wrong here
Traffic shaping controls bandwidth usage, not security or MAC behavior.
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
This VCP-DCV question is part of Courseiva's 498-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.