The correct choice is to configure a distributed switch with jumbo frames and a dedicated VLAN for VM traffic. Jumbo frames, which increase the MTU to 9000 bytes, reduce CPU overhead and interrupt processing by allowing larger payloads per packet, directly lowering latency for inter-VM communication. A dedicated VLAN isolates this latency-sensitive traffic from vMotion and management traffic, eliminating contention and ensuring consistent performance. On the VCP-DCV exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how low-latency inter-VM networking interacts with vMotion requirements—a common trap is assuming jumbo frames alone suffice without VLAN isolation, or that a standard switch can enforce the consistent policies needed for vMotion compatibility. Remember: for low-latency inter-VM traffic, think "big packets, separate lanes"—jumbo frames for fewer interrupts, dedicated VLAN to avoid traffic jams.
VCP-DCV vSphere Performance and Scaling Practice Question
This VCP-DCV practice question tests your understanding of vsphere performance and scaling. 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 designing a new vSphere cluster for a mission-critical application that requires extremely low network latency between VMs within the same cluster. The cluster will use vSphere vMotion for maintenance. Which network configuration best meets these requirements?
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
✓
Configure a distributed switch with jumbo frames and a dedicated VLAN for VM traffic.
Option C is correct because a distributed switch with jumbo frames (MTU 9000) reduces CPU overhead and improves throughput for latency-sensitive VM traffic, while a dedicated VLAN isolates VM traffic from management and vMotion, minimizing contention. Jumbo frames allow larger payloads per packet, reducing the number of packets and interrupt processing, which is critical for low-latency applications. The distributed switch also provides consistent network policy across hosts, essential for vMotion compatibility.
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.
✗
Create separate standard switches for VM traffic and management.
Why it's wrong here
Standard switches still lack advanced features.
✗
Enable SR-IOV on the physical NICs and assign virtual functions to VMs.
Why it's wrong here
SR-IOV may prevent vMotion and other features.
✓
Configure a distributed switch with jumbo frames and a dedicated VLAN for VM traffic.
Why this is correct
Distributed switch provides QoS, jumbo frames, and performance isolation.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use a single vSphere Standard Switch for all traffic.
Why it's wrong here
Standard switch lacks QoS and jumbo frame support.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose SR-IOV (Option B) because it offers the lowest raw latency, but they overlook that SR-IOV disables vMotion, which is explicitly required in the question for maintenance, making the distributed switch with jumbo frames the correct balance of performance and operational flexibility.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Jumbo frames reduce the per-packet overhead by allowing a TCP MSS of up to 8960 bytes (with a 9000 MTU), which decreases the number of ACKs and CPU interrupts per data transfer. In a vSphere cluster, the distributed switch also supports Network I/O Control (NIOC) to prioritize VM traffic over vMotion, ensuring low latency even during maintenance operations. A real-world scenario is a financial trading application where sub-millisecond latency is required; jumbo frames combined with a dedicated VLAN can cut latency by 20-30% compared to standard MTU.
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 Performance and Scaling — This question tests vSphere Performance and Scaling — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure a distributed switch with jumbo frames and a dedicated VLAN for VM traffic. — Option C is correct because a distributed switch with jumbo frames (MTU 9000) reduces CPU overhead and improves throughput for latency-sensitive VM traffic, while a dedicated VLAN isolates VM traffic from management and vMotion, minimizing contention. Jumbo frames allow larger payloads per packet, reducing the number of packets and interrupt processing, which is critical for low-latency applications. The distributed switch also provides consistent network policy across hosts, essential for vMotion compatibility.
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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