VCP-DCV Configure and Manage vSphere Networking Practice Question
This VCP-DCV practice question tests your understanding of configure and manage vsphere networking. 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 TWO of the following are functions of a vSphere Distributed Switch that are not available in a vSphere Standard Switch? (Select exactly two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Port mirroring (Distributed Port Mirroring).
Options B and C are correct. Network I/O Control (NIOC) is only available on vDS. Port mirroring (using Distributed Port Mirroring) is a vDS-only feature. Option A is incorrect because VLAN tagging is available on both switch types. Option D is incorrect because NIC teaming is available on standard switches as well. Option E is incorrect because traffic shaping is available on standard switches (per port group).
Key principle: A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Port mirroring (Distributed Port Mirroring).
Why this is correct
Distributed switches support advanced port mirroring; standard switches only have basic mirroring via third-party solutions.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
✗
NIC teaming with explicit failover order.
Why it's wrong here
Standard switches also support NIC teaming with failover order.
✓
Network I/O Control (NIOC).
Why this is correct
NIOC is a vDS-only feature for managing bandwidth allocation.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
✗
Traffic shaping policies.
Why it's wrong here
Traffic shaping is available on standard switches as well.
✗
VLAN tagging and trunking.
Why it's wrong here
Both standard and distributed switches support VLANs.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: an active trunk can still block the VLAN you need
A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VLAN questions usually combine access-port and trunking clues. The key is to identify whether the issue is local to one switchport, caused by the trunk, or caused by the VLAN not existing where it needs to exist.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches.
Allowed VLAN lists decide which VLANs can cross a trunk.
Native VLAN mismatch can create confusing symptoms.
TExam Day Tips
→Use show vlan brief to verify access VLANs.
→Use show interfaces trunk to verify trunk state and allowed VLANs.
→Do not treat every same-VLAN issue as a routing problem.
Key takeaway
A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related VCP-DCV questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
Configure and Manage vSphere Networking — This question tests Configure and Manage vSphere Networking — Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Port mirroring (Distributed Port Mirroring). — Options B and C are correct. Network I/O Control (NIOC) is only available on vDS. Port mirroring (using Distributed Port Mirroring) is a vDS-only feature. Option A is incorrect because VLAN tagging is available on both switch types. Option D is incorrect because NIC teaming is available on standard switches as well. Option E is incorrect because traffic shaping is available on standard switches (per port group).
What should I do if I get this VCP-DCV question wrong?
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related VCP-DCV questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
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