VCP-DCV vSphere Lifecycle Management Practice Question
An organization runs a multi-site vSphere environment with vCenter Server in linked mode across two data centers. The vCenter instances are version 7.0 U3. They plan to upgrade both vCenter Servers to 8.0 U2 and the ESXi hosts to 8.0. The administrator upgrades the first vCenter Server to 8.0 U2 successfully. Then, when attempting to upgrade the second vCenter Server, the upgrade wizard warns that the linked mode compatibility check has failed. The vCenter servers are in enhanced linked mode (ELM). What should the administrator do to resolve this issue?
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
✓
Temporarily remove the second vCenter from the linked mode group and perform the upgrade, then reconnect.
In an Enhanced Linked Mode (ELM) group, all vCenter Server instances must run the same version. After upgrading the first vCenter to 8.0 U2, the second vCenter (still on 7.0 U3) cannot be upgraded because the compatibility check fails. The supported workaround is to temporarily remove the second vCenter from the ELM group, perform its upgrade, and then rejoin it to the group. Option B is not recommended because downgrading the upgraded vCenter is unnecessary and disrupts the environment. Option C is incorrect because VMware Update Manager (VUM) is used for ESXi host upgrades, not for vCenter Server upgrades. Option D is incorrect because restarting services does not resolve version incompatibility in ELM.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Temporarily remove the second vCenter from the linked mode group and perform the upgrade, then reconnect.
Why this is correct
ELM requires same version; removing allows upgrade, then reconnecting after both are on same version.
- ✗
Downgrade the first vCenter Server back to 7.0 U3 and then upgrade both together.
Why it's wrong here
Downgrade is not supported and would cause issues.
- ✗
Use the vSphere Update Manager on the second vCenter to upgrade its own components.
Why it's wrong here
VUM does not upgrade vCenter Server; it upgrades ESXi hosts.
- ✗
Restart the vCenter Server services on both vCenter instances and retry the upgrade.
Why it's wrong here
Service restart does not fix version compatibility in ELM.
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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.