The answer is to create multiple VMkernel ports for iSCSI, each bound to a separate physical NIC, and configure multiple iSCSI targets. This is correct because VMware’s Pluggable Storage Architecture (PSA) and Native Multipathing Plugin (NMP) require distinct network paths to enable both active-active load balancing and automatic failover; binding each VMkernel port to a dedicated NIC eliminates any single point of failure in the storage network. On the VCP-DCV exam, this question tests your understanding of iSCSI multipathing best practice for vSphere, often appearing as a scenario where you must distinguish between using a single port with multiple NICs (a common trap) versus true path separation. A reliable memory tip is “separate ports, separate NICs, separate targets” — think of it as three distinct layers of redundancy that the PSA needs to see as independent paths for proper I/O distribution and high availability.
VCP-DCV vSphere Architecture, Products and Solutions Practice Question
This VCP-DCV practice question tests your understanding of vsphere architecture, products and solutions. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
An administrator is configuring a new iSCSI storage array for a vSphere cluster. The array supports multiple iSCSI targets. What is the recommended best practice for multipathing to ensure high availability and load balancing?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create multiple VMkernel ports for iSCSI, each bound to a separate physical NIC, and configure multiple iSCSI targets.
Option B is correct because VMware best practices for iSCSI multipathing require multiple VMkernel ports, each bound to a separate physical NIC, and multiple iSCSI targets to provide both path redundancy and load balancing. This configuration leverages the Pluggable Storage Architecture (PSA) and native multipathing plugins (NMP) to distribute I/O across active paths while maintaining high availability through automatic path failover. Using separate VMkernel ports and NICs ensures that no single point of failure exists in the storage network.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 the management VMkernel port for iSCSI traffic to simplify configuration.
Why it's wrong here
Mixing management and storage traffic can cause performance issues and is not best practice.
✓
Create multiple VMkernel ports for iSCSI, each bound to a separate physical NIC, and configure multiple iSCSI targets.
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure a single physical NIC with multiple VLANs for iSCSI traffic.
Why it's wrong here
Single NIC is a single point of failure.
✗
Use a single VMkernel port for iSCSI and assign multiple IP addresses to it.
Why it's wrong here
Multiple IPs on one port does not provide redundancy at the network level.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse logical separation (VLANs or multiple IPs on one NIC) with true physical path redundancy, leading them to select options that appear to provide multipathing but actually create a single point of failure.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, iSCSI multipathing relies on the PSA to manage multiple paths to the same LUN, using the Round Robin path selection policy to distribute I/O across active paths. Each VMkernel port bound to a separate physical NIC creates a distinct iSCSI session, and when multiple iSCSI targets are configured, the array presents multiple target portals, enabling the ESXi host to establish multiple TCP connections. In a real-world scenario, this setup is critical for environments with high I/O workloads, as it prevents a single NIC or switch failure from causing an outage and allows the host to utilize all available bandwidth efficiently.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
vSphere Architecture, Products and Solutions — This question tests vSphere Architecture, Products and Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create multiple VMkernel ports for iSCSI, each bound to a separate physical NIC, and configure multiple iSCSI targets. — Option B is correct because VMware best practices for iSCSI multipathing require multiple VMkernel ports, each bound to a separate physical NIC, and multiple iSCSI targets to provide both path redundancy and load balancing. This configuration leverages the Pluggable Storage Architecture (PSA) and native multipathing plugins (NMP) to distribute I/O across active paths while maintaining high availability through automatic path failover. Using separate VMkernel ports and NICs ensures that no single point of failure exists in the storage network.
What should I do if I get this VCP-DCV question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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