The answer is that the virtual machine must be powered on for Storage DRS to migrate virtual disks. This requirement exists because Storage DRS relies on Storage vMotion to move virtual disk files between datastores, and Storage vMotion only operates on active, running VMs; a powered-off or suspended VM cannot be migrated by this automated process. Additionally, both the source and destination datastores must belong to the same datastore cluster, as Storage DRS cannot perform cross-cluster migrations—it manages I/O load and space utilization only within a single cluster boundary. On the VCP-DCV exam, this question tests your understanding of the tight integration between Storage DRS and Storage vMotion, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly think powered-off VMs or cross-cluster datastores are valid. A useful memory tip is “DRS moves running VMs, Storage DRS moves running disks,” reinforcing that a powered-on state is non-negotiable for automated disk migration.
VCP-DCV Configure and Manage vSphere Storage Practice Question
This VCP-DCV practice question tests your understanding of configure and manage vsphere storage. 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.
An administrator is configuring Storage DRS on a datastore cluster. Which THREE conditions must be met for Storage DRS to migrate virtual disks?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The source and destination datastores must be part of the same datastore cluster.
Option A is correct because Storage DRS operates within a single datastore cluster, which is a collection of datastores that share resources and are managed as a single entity. For Storage DRS to migrate virtual disks via Storage vMotion, both the source and destination datastores must be members of the same datastore cluster; cross-cluster migrations are not supported by Storage DRS.
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 source and destination datastores must be part of the same datastore cluster.
Why this is correct
Storage DRS operates within a datastore cluster.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
The ESXi host must have a valid Storage vMotion license.
Why this is correct
Storage vMotion is required for migration.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The virtual disk must not be attached to a snapshot.
Why it's wrong here
Storage DRS can migrate disks with snapshots.
✗
The storage array must support VAAI.
Why it's wrong here
VAAI is not required for Storage DRS.
✓
The virtual machine must be powered on.
Why this is correct
Storage DRS migrates disks only for powered on VMs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume Storage DRS requires VAAI for migrations, but VAAI is only an optimization for certain operations (like hardware-assisted locking or copy offload) and is not a prerequisite for Storage DRS to function.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Storage DRS uses Storage vMotion to migrate virtual disks, and the migration process involves copying blocks from the source to the destination datastore while the VM is running. Under the hood, Storage vMotion creates a shadow tree of the virtual disk, tracks changes via a change block tracking (CBT) mechanism, and switches to the destination disk only after all data is synchronized. In real-world scenarios, if a datastore cluster contains heterogeneous storage arrays (e.g., both NFS and VMFS), Storage DRS can still migrate disks between them, but performance may vary due to differences in latency and throughput.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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.
Configure and Manage vSphere Storage — This question tests Configure and Manage vSphere Storage — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The source and destination datastores must be part of the same datastore cluster. — Option A is correct because Storage DRS operates within a single datastore cluster, which is a collection of datastores that share resources and are managed as a single entity. For Storage DRS to migrate virtual disks via Storage vMotion, both the source and destination datastores must be members of the same datastore cluster; cross-cluster migrations are not supported by Storage DRS.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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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