- A
The VM is stored on NFS storage which is not supported with NKP
Why wrong: NKP supports any storage type.
- B
The vCenter Server is disconnected from the cluster
Why wrong: vCenter is not needed for NKP operation after configuration.
- C
The ESXi hosts are on different network segments
Why wrong: Network segments do not directly affect NKP availability.
- D
Only one ESXi host in the cluster is available; the other two are offline
NKP requires quorum; with only one host, the key provider is unavailable.
Question 515 of 521
VCP-DCV vSphere Security Practice Question
This VCP-DCV practice question tests your understanding of vsphere security. 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.
An administrator is configuring vSphere Native Key Provider (NKP) in a cluster. After enabling NKP, the administrator adds a VM and attempts to encrypt it, but receives an error that the key provider is not available. The cluster consists of three ESXi hosts. What is the most likely cause?
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.
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
✓
Only one ESXi host in the cluster is available; the other two are offline
The correct answer is D. vSphere Native Key Provider (NKP) requires a majority of ESXi hosts in the cluster to be available to form a quorum for key management. With three hosts, at least two must be online. If only one host is available, the key provider becomes unavailable because the remaining hosts cannot achieve quorum. Option A is incorrect because NKP supports all storage types including NFS. Option B is incorrect because vCenter Server connectivity is not required for NKP after initial setup. Option C is incorrect because network segmentation does not directly affect NKP availability.
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 VM is stored on NFS storage which is not supported with NKP
Why it's wrong here
NKP supports any storage type.
- ✗
The vCenter Server is disconnected from the cluster
Why it's wrong here
vCenter is not needed for NKP operation after configuration.
- ✗
The ESXi hosts are on different network segments
Why it's wrong here
Network segments do not directly affect NKP availability.
- ✓
Only one ESXi host in the cluster is available; the other two are offline
Why this is correct
NKP requires quorum; with only one host, the key provider is unavailable.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 VCP-DCV exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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vSphere Security — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this VCP-DCV question test?
vSphere Security — This question tests vSphere Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Only one ESXi host in the cluster is available; the other two are offline — The correct answer is D. vSphere Native Key Provider (NKP) requires a majority of ESXi hosts in the cluster to be available to form a quorum for key management. With three hosts, at least two must be online. If only one host is available, the key provider becomes unavailable because the remaining hosts cannot achieve quorum. Option A is incorrect because NKP supports all storage types including NFS. Option B is incorrect because vCenter Server connectivity is not required for NKP after initial setup. Option C is incorrect because network segmentation does not directly affect NKP availability.
What should I do if I get this VCP-DCV question wrong?
Identify which VCP-DCV exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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?
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: Jun 24, 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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