VCP-DCV Configure and Manage vSphere Storage Practice Question
What is the default block size of a VMFS5 datastore?
⚠ Common exam trap
VCP-DCV often tests the difference between VMFS3 and VMFS5 block sizes; candidates may remember VMFS3's 8 MB default or confuse it with VMFS5's 1 MB default.
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
✓
1 MB
The default block size of a VMFS5 datastore is 1 MB. VMFS5 introduced a unified 1 MB block size that supports large files up to 2 TB minus 512 bytes, eliminating the need for multiple block sizes. This default applies to all VMFS5 datastores unless upgraded from VMFS3.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
1 MB
Why this is correct
VMFS5 uses a 1 MB file block size by default, replacing the 1 MB to 8 MB range available in VMFS3. This uniform block size supports volumes up to 64 TB and individual files up to 62 TB, satisfying the datastore capacity and large virtual disk requirements in the scenario.
- ✗
8 MB
Why it's wrong here
VMFS5 uses a uniform 1 MB block size for all volumes, so 8 MB describes no VMFS5 default; that figure belongs to VMFS3's largest configurable block. It tempts candidates who recall VMFS3's selectable block sizes, where 8 MB was chosen for very large virtual disks.
- ✗
2 MB
Why it's wrong here
VMFS5's uniform block size is 1 MB, not 2 MB; 2 MB was merely one selectable VMFS3 block size. It tempts candidates who remember VMFS3's block-size menu, where 2 MB suited datastores hosting many small files.
- ✗
4 MB
Why it's wrong here
VMFS5 abandoned VMFS3's selectable block sizes, fixing every volume at 1 MB, so 4 MB is not its default. The figure tempts those recalling VMFS3, where 4 MB was the default block size selected for most datastores.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
About these practice questions
One of 281 original VCP-DCV practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.