Quick Answer
The answer is Storage vMotion. This is the correct migration method because it moves virtual machine disks between datastores—such as from a VMFS5 datastore to a vSAN datastore—while preserving the storage policy association, ensuring that the VM’s existing policy, including availability and performance rules, remains intact. On the VMware Certified Professional Data Center Virtualization VCP-DCV exam, this question tests your understanding of storage migration options and their impact on policy retention; a common trap is confusing Storage vMotion with vMotion, which only migrates compute resources, or with cold migration, which requires downtime and may strip policy settings. Remember that Storage vMotion is the only live migration method that keeps the storage policy attached to the VM disks during the move. A helpful memory tip: “Storage vMotion saves the policy motion” — it moves the data and the policy together without interruption.
This VCP-DCV practice question tests your understanding of configure and manage vsphere storage. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 needs to migrate a VM from a VMFS5 datastore to a vSAN datastore while preserving the storage policy. Which migration method should be used?
Cold migration
Why wrong: Cold migration requires the VM to be powered off.
Clone
Why wrong: Clone creates a copy of the VM, not a migration.
Storage vMotion
Storage vMotion migrates disks between datastores with no downtime.
vMotion
Why wrong: vMotion migrates compute, not storage.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Storage vMotion
Storage vMotion moves VM disks between datastores while preserving the storage policy association. vMotion moves compute only; cold migration requires downtime; clone creates a copy.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Cold migration
Why it's wrong here
Cold migration requires the VM to be powered off.
Clone
Why it's wrong here
Clone creates a copy of the VM, not a migration.
Storage vMotion
Why this is correct
Storage vMotion migrates disks between datastores with no downtime.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
vMotion
Why it's wrong here
vMotion migrates compute, not storage.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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 Storage — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Configure and Manage vSphere Storage — This question tests Configure and Manage vSphere Storage — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Storage vMotion — Storage vMotion moves VM disks between datastores while preserving the storage policy association. vMotion moves compute only; cold migration requires downtime; clone creates a copy.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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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