- A
Increase the DRS migration threshold from 3 to 5.
Why wrong: Increasing threshold will trigger more aggressive vMotions, not diagnose the issue.
- B
Place the host into maintenance mode to isolate the problem.
Why wrong: Maintenance mode would migrate VMs off, but does not help determine why utilization was high.
- C
Set the DRS automation level to Fully Automated.
Why wrong: The automation level does not provide diagnostic information.
- D
Review the host's performance charts in vCenter for CPU contention metrics.
Performance charts provide insight into CPU ready time and co-stop, helping identify the root cause.
Question 168 of 521
VCP-DCV vSphere Performance and Scaling Practice Question
This VCP-DCV practice question tests your understanding of vsphere performance and scaling. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A vSphere administrator notices that one ESXi host in a DRS-enabled cluster is consistently running at 95% CPU utilization while other hosts average 40%. Which action should the administrator take to determine the 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
✓
Review the host's performance charts in vCenter for CPU contention metrics.
Option D is correct because reviewing the host's performance charts in vCenter allows the administrator to examine CPU contention metrics such as ready time, co-stop, and %run. This helps determine why the host is consistently at 95% CPU utilization while others average 40%. Option A is incorrect because increasing the DRS migration threshold from 3 to 5 makes DRS less aggressive, potentially reducing vMotions, but does not help diagnose the cause of high CPU usage. Option B is incorrect because placing the host into maintenance mode would evacuate all VMs, possibly masking the issue and disrupting workloads without providing diagnostic information. Option C is incorrect because setting DRS automation level to Fully Automated only changes how DRS reacts to imbalances; it does not reveal why the host is overloaded.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Increase the DRS migration threshold from 3 to 5.
Why it's wrong here
Increasing threshold will trigger more aggressive vMotions, not diagnose the issue.
- ✗
Place the host into maintenance mode to isolate the problem.
Why it's wrong here
Maintenance mode would migrate VMs off, but does not help determine why utilization was high.
- ✗
Set the DRS automation level to Fully Automated.
Why it's wrong here
The automation level does not provide diagnostic information.
- ✓
Review the host's performance charts in vCenter for CPU contention metrics.
Why this is correct
Performance charts provide insight into CPU ready time and co-stop, helping identify the root cause.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related VCP-DCV subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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vSphere Performance and Scaling — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this VCP-DCV question test?
vSphere Performance and Scaling — This question tests vSphere Performance and Scaling — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Review the host's performance charts in vCenter for CPU contention metrics. — Option D is correct because reviewing the host's performance charts in vCenter allows the administrator to examine CPU contention metrics such as ready time, co-stop, and %run. This helps determine why the host is consistently at 95% CPU utilization while others average 40%. Option A is incorrect because increasing the DRS migration threshold from 3 to 5 makes DRS less aggressive, potentially reducing vMotions, but does not help diagnose the cause of high CPU usage. Option B is incorrect because placing the host into maintenance mode would evacuate all VMs, possibly masking the issue and disrupting workloads without providing diagnostic information. Option C is incorrect because setting DRS automation level to Fully Automated only changes how DRS reacts to imbalances; it does not reveal why the host is overloaded.
What should I do if I get this VCP-DCV question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related VCP-DCV subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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.
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