- A
vSAN datastore
Correct: The datastore is the aggregated storage.
- B
vSAN network
Correct: Network is required for communication.
- C
vSAN witness host
Why wrong: Incorrect: Witness is only for stretched clusters.
- D
ESXi hosts
Correct: ESXi hosts form the cluster.
- E
vCenter Server
Why wrong: Incorrect: vCenter manages but is not part of the cluster.
Question 393 of 521
VCP-DCV vSphere Architecture, Products and Solutions Practice Question
This VCP-DCV practice question tests your understanding of vsphere architecture, products and solutions. 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.
Which THREE components are part of a vSAN cluster?
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
✓
vSAN datastore
A vSAN datastore is a core component of a vSAN cluster because it is the aggregated, distributed storage object created from the local disks of the ESXi hosts in the cluster. This datastore is what VMs use for storage, and it is built and managed by the vSAN layer, making it an integral part of the cluster's architecture.
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.
- ✓
vSAN datastore
Why this is correct
Correct: The datastore is the aggregated storage.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
vSAN network
Why this is correct
Correct: Network is required for communication.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
vSAN witness host
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Witness is only for stretched clusters.
- ✓
ESXi hosts
Why this is correct
Correct: ESXi hosts form the cluster.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
vCenter Server
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: vCenter manages but is not part of the cluster.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often mistake vCenter Server as a required component of a vSAN cluster, but vCenter Server is only needed for management and initial configuration, not for the cluster's ongoing operation or data plane functionality.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A vSAN cluster consists of a group of ESXi hosts that contribute their local storage (SSDs and HDDs or NVMe devices) to a shared datastore, using the vSAN Distributed Object Manager to handle data placement and redundancy. The vSAN network is a dedicated or shared VLAN used for vSAN traffic (e.g., replication, heartbeat), and it must be configured with proper MTU (typically 1500 or 9000 for jumbo frames) and multicast settings for cluster communication. In a real-world scenario, misconfiguring the vSAN network (e.g., using a single NIC without redundancy) can lead to network partition events, causing the cluster to lose quorum and potentially impact VM availability.
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: vSAN datastore — A vSAN datastore is a core component of a vSAN cluster because it is the aggregated, distributed storage object created from the local disks of the ESXi hosts in the cluster. This datastore is what VMs use for storage, and it is built and managed by the vSAN layer, making it an integral part of the cluster's architecture.
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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