This VCP-DCV practice question tests your understanding of configure and manage vsphere networking. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. The administrator notices rx_dropped packets on vmnic0 but no errors. What is the most likely cause of the dropped packets?
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.
There is a VLAN mismatch causing packets to be dropped.
Why wrong: VLAN mismatches would cause errors, not just drops.
B
The virtual switch port has insufficient buffer space.
Why wrong: The vsish shows no drops on the virtual switch port, so the issue is at the physical NIC level.
C
The physical NIC's receive ring buffer is overflowing due to high traffic.
rx_dropped on a NIC without errors usually indicates the ring buffer is full and packets are dropped. Increasing ring buffer size or optimizing interrupt coalescing can help.
D
The physical switch is dropping packets due to congestion.
Why wrong: The drops are on the host NIC, not the switch.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The physical NIC's receive ring buffer is overflowing due to high traffic.
The exhibit shows rx_dropped: 120 on vmnic0, but no rx_errors. The vsish output shows no drops on the virtual switch port. The drops on the physical NIC are likely due to ring buffer overflow, which occurs when the host receives packets faster than it can process them. This is common under high traffic load or insufficient interrupt handling.
Key principle: A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
There is a VLAN mismatch causing packets to be dropped.
Why it's wrong here
VLAN mismatches would cause errors, not just drops.
✗
The virtual switch port has insufficient buffer space.
Why it's wrong here
The vsish shows no drops on the virtual switch port, so the issue is at the physical NIC level.
✓
The physical NIC's receive ring buffer is overflowing due to high traffic.
Why this is correct
rx_dropped on a NIC without errors usually indicates the ring buffer is full and packets are dropped. Increasing ring buffer size or optimizing interrupt coalescing can help.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
✗
The physical switch is dropping packets due to congestion.
Why it's wrong here
The drops are on the host NIC, not the switch.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: an active trunk can still block the VLAN you need
A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The vsish shows no drops on the virtual switch port, so the issue is at the physical NIC level.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VLAN questions usually combine access-port and trunking clues. The key is to identify whether the issue is local to one switchport, caused by the trunk, or caused by the VLAN not existing where it needs to exist.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches.
Allowed VLAN lists decide which VLANs can cross a trunk.
Native VLAN mismatch can create confusing symptoms.
TExam Day Tips
→Use show vlan brief to verify access VLANs.
→Use show interfaces trunk to verify trunk state and allowed VLANs.
→Do not treat every same-VLAN issue as a routing problem.
Key takeaway
A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
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.
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related VCP-DCV questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
Configure and Manage vSphere Networking — This question tests Configure and Manage vSphere Networking — Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The physical NIC's receive ring buffer is overflowing due to high traffic. — The exhibit shows rx_dropped: 120 on vmnic0, but no rx_errors. The vsish output shows no drops on the virtual switch port. The drops on the physical NIC are likely due to ring buffer overflow, which occurs when the host receives packets faster than it can process them. This is common under high traffic load or insufficient interrupt handling.
What should I do if I get this VCP-DCV question wrong?
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related VCP-DCV questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
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?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
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