- A
Both source and destination ESXi hosts must be licensed for vMotion.
Correct: vMotion is a licensed feature.
- B
The VM's virtual disks must be stored on shared storage.
Why wrong: Incorrect: vMotion does not require shared storage.
- C
Both hosts must be in the same cluster.
Why wrong: Incorrect: Cross-cluster vMotion is possible.
- D
The VM must be powered on.
Correct: vMotion only works on running VMs.
- E
Both hosts must be in the same vCenter Server instance.
Why wrong: Incorrect: Cross-vCenter vMotion is possible.
VCP-DCV vSphere Architecture, Products and Solutions Practice Question
This VCP-DCV practice question tests your understanding of vsphere architecture, products and solutions. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Which TWO statements are true regarding vMotion requirements?
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
Both source and destination ESXi hosts must be licensed for vMotion.
Option A is correct because vMotion requires both the source and destination ESXi hosts to have a vMotion license. Without this license, the vMotion feature is not enabled on a host, and the migration cannot be initiated. This is a fundamental licensing requirement enforced by vSphere.
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.
- ✓
Both source and destination ESXi hosts must be licensed for vMotion.
Why this is correct
Correct: vMotion is a licensed feature.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The VM's virtual disks must be stored on shared storage.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: vMotion does not require shared storage.
- ✗
Both hosts must be in the same cluster.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Cross-cluster vMotion is possible.
- ✓
The VM must be powered on.
Why this is correct
Correct: vMotion only works on running VMs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Both hosts must be in the same vCenter Server instance.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Cross-vCenter vMotion is possible.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume shared storage is mandatory for all vMotion operations, but vSphere supports vMotion with local storage by transferring disk data over the network, making option B a common distractor.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, vMotion uses a three-phase process: pre-copy, switchover, and post-copy. During the pre-copy phase, memory pages are iteratively copied from the source to the destination host while the VM continues to run. The switchover phase briefly quiesces the VM, copies the final dirty pages, and resumes execution on the destination. For storage vMotion, the same iterative copy mechanism is used for virtual disk data, but the VM's memory state is not migrated; instead, the disk data is moved while the VM remains powered on.
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 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
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this VCP-DCV question test?
vSphere Architecture, Products and Solutions — This question tests vSphere Architecture, Products and Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Both source and destination ESXi hosts must be licensed for vMotion. — Option A is correct because vMotion requires both the source and destination ESXi hosts to have a vMotion license. Without this license, the vMotion feature is not enabled on a host, and the migration cannot be initiated. This is a fundamental licensing requirement enforced by vSphere.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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