The answer is that the physical NICs are not configured with MTU 9000. Even when a vSphere Distributed Switch and its port groups are set to jumbo frames, the physical network adapters on each ESXi host must also have their MTU raised to 9000; otherwise, the physical NICs will drop any frame larger than the standard 1500 bytes, breaking inter-host communication while leaving intra-host traffic unaffected. On the VMware Certified Professional Data Center Virtualization VCP-DCV exam, this scenario tests your understanding that jumbo frames require end-to-end consistency across the virtual switch, the physical NIC, and the physical switch—a common trap is assuming the DVS setting alone is sufficient. Remember the memory tip: “Same host works, cross-host breaks? Check the physical NIC MTU.”
VCP-DCV Configure and Manage vSphere Networking Practice Question
This VCP-DCV practice question tests your understanding of configure and manage vsphere networking. 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.
An administrator has enabled jumbo frames (MTU 9000) on a vSphere Distributed Switch. Virtual machines on different hosts cannot communicate, but VMs on the same host can. The physical switches support jumbo frames. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The physical NICs are not configured with MTU 9000.
Option B is correct because the physical NICs must also be configured with MTU 9000 to pass jumbo frames between hosts. Option A is incorrect because VMkernel adapters are used for management traffic, not VM data. Option C is incorrect because the port group MTU is already set on the DVS. Option D is incorrect because QoS is unrelated.
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.
The physical NICs are not configured with MTU 9000.
Why this is correct
Physical NICs must have MTU 9000 to pass jumbo frames between hosts.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 practitioner preparing for the VCP-DCV exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which VCP-DCV exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Configure and Manage vSphere Networking — This question tests Configure and Manage vSphere Networking — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The physical NICs are not configured with MTU 9000. — Option B is correct because the physical NICs must also be configured with MTU 9000 to pass jumbo frames between hosts. Option A is incorrect because VMkernel adapters are used for management traffic, not VM data. Option C is incorrect because the port group MTU is already set on the DVS. Option D is incorrect because QoS is unrelated.
What should I do if I get this VCP-DCV question wrong?
Identify which VCP-DCV exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A vSphere administrator notices that after adding a new ESXi host to a vSphere Distributed Switch (vDS), some VMs on existing hosts lose network connectivity intermittently. What is the most likely cause?
medium
✓ A.The vDS MTU setting does not match the physical network MTU.
B.The new host's physical uplink is faulty, causing broadcast storms.
C.The vDS is configured with LACP, and the new host's links are not properly bundled.
D.The vDS Network I/O Control settings are not evenly distributed.
Why A: Option D is correct because if the Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) is inconsistent across the vDS and physical network, it can cause packet drops and intermittent connectivity. Option A is incorrect because a physical uplink failure affecting all VMs is unlikely to occur only after adding a new host. Option B is incorrect because LACP issues would cause complete failure or reduced throughput, not intermittent connectivity on existing hosts. Option C is incorrect because Network I/O Control is about bandwidth allocation, not connectivity loss.
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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.
Question Discussion
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