VCP-DCV Configure and Manage vSphere Storage Practice Question
Exhibit
Device: naa.6000c29d123456789
Storage Array Type: VMW_SATP_ALUA
Path Selection Policy: VMW_PSP_RR
Paths:
vmhba3:C0:T0:L0 – state: active
vmhba3:C0:T1:L0 – state: standbyRefer to the exhibit. What is the most likely reason the second path is in standby state?
⚠ Common exam trap
VCP-DCV often tests the distinction between path states (active, standby, dead) and the reasons behind them, and candidates commonly confuse standby with dead or assume it indicates a configuration error rather than an ALUA optimization.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The storage array reports that path as non-optimized.
In an ALUA (Asymmetric Logical Unit Access) environment, a storage array designates each path as either optimized (active) or non-optimized (standby). When the array reports a path as non-optimized, ESXi places that path in a standby state and routes I/O through the optimized path. This is the expected behavior for arrays that support ALUA and is the most likely reason the second path shows as standby.
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 host has not successfully authenticated to the storage on that path.
Why it's wrong here
Authentication failure would mark the path dead or error rather than standby, since the host cannot log in to the target. Authentication is the cause when paths show as down, not when they sit in standby awaiting failover.
- ✗
The path is not properly zoned to the storage.
Why it's wrong here
Missing zoning makes the path dead, not standby, because the host cannot discover the storage target at all. Zoning is the cause when paths are absent from the device list entirely rather than present and idle.
- ✓
The storage array reports that path as non-optimized.
Why this is correct
When an array presents one path as non-optimized, the PSA selects the optimized path as active and places the non-optimized path in standby. This asymmetric logical unit access behaviour explains the standby state without any path failure.
- ✗
The multipathing policy is set to Fixed (VMW_PSP_FIXED).
Why it's wrong here
Fixed policy routes all I/O down one preferred path and only uses the standby on failover, so a standby path is expected behaviour, not the exhibit's cause. Fixed suits arrays where a single controller is genuinely faster; here the stem implies active/active paths, which Round Robin or MRU would use.
Quick reference
Asymmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Exchange | Signatures | Equivalent Security Key | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RSA-3072 | Yes | Yes | 128-bit | Widely deployed; slow for bulk data |
| ECDSA P-256 | No | Yes | 128-bit | Fast signatures; standard TLS certs |
| ECDH / ECDHE | Yes | No | 128-bit | Perfect forward secrecy in TLS 1.3 |
| DH / DHE | Yes | No | 128-bit (3072-bit key) | Replaced by ECDHE in modern TLS |
| Ed25519 | No | Yes | ~128-bit | SSH keys, modern PKI |
Go deeper
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official VMware exam blueprint
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.