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Exam Review

Key Facts: VCP-DCV Exam

70

The 2V0-21.23 VCP-DCV exam has 70 single- and multiple-choice items

Broadcom 2V0-21.23 exam guide

135 min

VCP-DCV candidates get 135 minutes, including time for non-native English speakers

Broadcom 2V0-21.23 exam guide

300

The 2V0-21.23 exam uses a scaled passing score of 300

Broadcom 2V0-21.23 exam guide

$250

Broadcom lists the 2V0-21.23 exam price as USD 250

Broadcom VCP-DCV page

7 days

Broadcom requires a seven-day wait after each failed proctored VCP exam attempt

Broadcom exam retake policy

vSphere 8.0

The 2V0-21.23 exam content is based on VMware vSphere 8.0

Broadcom 2V0-21.23 exam guide

Legacy

Broadcom lists VCP-DCV under VMware Legacy Certifications while 2V0-21.23 registration stays open

Broadcom VMware Certification catalog

VCP-DCV is earned with the VMware vSphere 8.x Professional exam (2V0-21.23): 70 single- and multiple-choice items, 135 minutes, a scaled passing score of 300 and a USD 250 fee through Pearson VUE. The guide's testable sections are Architecture and Technologies, Products and Solutions, Installing/Configuring/Setup, Performance-tuning/Optimization/Upgrades, Troubleshooting and Repairing, and Administrative and Operational Tasks; Planning and Designing has no testable objectives. Mandatory training was removed for VCP exams on May 6, 2024. Broadcom lists VCP-DCV as a legacy certification, and registration for 2V0-21.23 was still open in October 2026.

Sample VCP-DCV Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the VCP-DCV exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 422+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which VMware vSphere component provides centralized management for ESXi hosts and virtual machines?
A.VMware ESXi Host Client
B.VMware vCenter Server
C.VMware Aria Operations
D.VMware NSX Manager
Explanation: VMware vCenter Server is the centralized management platform for a vSphere environment: one inventory for many ESXi hosts, their virtual machines, clusters, networking and storage. The ESXi Host Client manages only the single host it is connected to, Aria Operations is a separate monitoring and analytics product, and NSX Manager manages network virtualization rather than hosts and VMs.
2What is the maximum number of vCPUs supported per virtual machine in vSphere 8.0?
A.64
B.128
C.256
D.768
Explanation: VMware's vSphere 8.0 configuration maximums list 768 virtual CPUs per virtual machine. That limit has applied since vSphere 7.0 Update 1 with virtual hardware version 18 or later (7.0 GA supported 256), and the host must have enough logical CPUs to back the configuration.
3Which vSphere feature provides continuous availability so a protected virtual machine keeps running with no downtime and no data loss if its ESXi host fails?
A.vMotion
B.High Availability (HA)
C.Fault Tolerance (FT)
D.Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS)
Explanation: Fault Tolerance (FT) runs a secondary VM in lockstep on another host so the workload continues with zero downtime and zero data loss if the primary host fails. vSphere HA restarts VMs on surviving hosts after a failure (brief downtime). vMotion migrates running VMs, and DRS balances load.
4What is the purpose of the VMware vSphere Distributed Services Engine (DSE)?
A.To pool local NVMe devices into a shared datastore
B.To offload infrastructure services to DPUs
C.To run Kubernetes control-plane VMs on each host
D.To centralize NSX firewall rule authoring in vCenter
Explanation: vSphere Distributed Services Engine, introduced in vSphere 8.0, runs an ESXi instance (ESXio) on a data processing unit (DPU or SmartNIC) so infrastructure services such as NSX networking and security can be offloaded from the x86 CPU cores. Pooling local NVMe devices describes vSAN, Kubernetes control-plane VMs describe the Supervisor, and firewall rules are still authored in NSX Manager.
5Which type of hypervisor runs directly on physical hardware without requiring a host operating system?
A.Type 2 hypervisor
B.Type 1 hypervisor
C.Hosted hypervisor
D.Container runtime
Explanation: A Type 1 hypervisor (bare-metal hypervisor) runs directly on the physical hardware without an underlying host OS. VMware ESXi is a Type 1 hypervisor. Type 2 hypervisors run on top of a conventional operating system, and container runtimes like Docker provide OS-level virtualization.
6In a vSphere environment, what is the maximum supported RAM per virtual machine in vSphere 8.0?
A.4 TB
B.6 TB
C.12 TB
D.24 TB
Explanation: The vSphere 8.0 configuration maximums list 24 TB of RAM per virtual machine. This limit has applied since vSphere 7.0 Update 1 with virtual hardware version 18 or later (7.0 GA supported 6,128 GB), and the host must actually have the memory available.
7Which vCenter Server deployment option provides automatic failover and built-in high availability?
A.A vCenter Server Appliance with a backup schedule
B.Enhanced Linked Mode across two vCenter instances
C.vCenter Server High Availability (VCHA)
D.A vCenter Server Appliance on a vSAN datastore
Explanation: vCenter Server High Availability (VCHA) clones the appliance into Active, Passive and Witness nodes; if the Active node fails, the Passive node takes over automatically. A file-based backup schedule protects configuration but needs a manual restore, Enhanced Linked Mode shares SSO and inventory views without any failover, and placing the appliance on vSAN protects its disks but does not fail over the vCenter services.
8In vSphere 8, where do the services that once ran on a separate Platform Services Controller (SSO, licensing and certificate management) run?
A.On a separate external PSC appliance
B.Inside every vCenter Server Appliance
C.On each ESXi host's hostd service
D.On a Windows server joined to the domain
Explanation: Since vSphere 7.0 the external Platform Services Controller deployment model no longer exists. vCenter Single Sign-On, licensing, the VMware Certificate Authority and the lookup service all run inside each vCenter Server Appliance, and external PSC deployments had to be converged to embedded before upgrading to 7.0 or later.
9Which of the following best describes the VMware ESXi VMkernel?
A.The per-VM process that emulates virtual devices
B.The kernel that schedules CPU, memory and I/O
C.The Linux service console used to manage the host
D.The agent that relays vCenter commands to the host
Explanation: The VMkernel is the core of ESXi: it schedules CPU and memory for virtual machines, runs the storage and network I/O stacks and loads device drivers. The per-VM VMX process handles device emulation for one VM, a Linux service console existed only in classic ESX, and vpxa is the agent that relays vCenter Server requests to the host.
10A new vCenter Server Appliance 8.0 must manage up to 500 ESXi hosts and 10,000 virtual machines. Which is the smallest deployment size that supports this inventory?
A.Small
B.Medium
C.Large
D.X-Large
Explanation: The vCenter Server 8.0 installer sizes are Tiny (up to 10 hosts or 100 VMs), Small (100 hosts or 1,000 VMs), Medium (400 hosts or 4,000 VMs), Large (1,000 hosts or 10,000 VMs) and X-Large (2,500 hosts or 45,000 VMs). Both 500 hosts and 10,000 VMs exceed Medium and fit within Large, so Large (16 vCPUs, 39 GB of memory) is the smallest size that works.

About the VCP-DCV Exam

The VMware Certified Professional - Data Center Virtualization (VCP-DCV) credential is earned by passing the VMware vSphere 8.x Professional exam (2V0-21.23), which Broadcom's guide says leads to VCP-DCV 2024. It validates skills to install, configure, manage and troubleshoot vSphere 8.x, including DPU-accelerated hosts, image-based vSphere Lifecycle Manager, vSAN Express Storage Architecture, Identity Federation, Native Key Provider and vTPM/VBS. Broadcom now lists VCP-DCV under its VMware Legacy Certifications, but the exam page remains open for registration.

Exam sponsor: VMware / Pearson VUE. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

70 single- and multiple-choice items. The 2V0-21.23 guide uses seven standard sections; Section 3 (Planning and Designing) has no testable objectives. Content is based on VMware vSphere 8.0.

Time Limit

135 minutes, including adequate time for non-native English speakers

Passing Score

300/500 (scaled)

Exam / Certification Fees

$250 USD

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not published. Broadcom does not publish official pass-rate percentages for VCP-DCV. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

Section 1

Architecture and Technologies

ESXi 8 and vCenter architecture, vSphere Distributed Services Engine (DPU/SmartNIC offload), vSphere with Tanzu Supervisor Cluster, vCLS (including embedded vCLS in later 8.0 updates), and core platform technologies.

Section 2

VMware Products and Solutions

Positioning of vSphere with vSAN, NSX, Aria Operations, VMware Cloud Foundation, Site Recovery Manager, and VMware Tanzu within the data center portfolio.

Section 3

Planning and Designing

Listed as a section without testable objectives in the current 2V0-21.23 exam guide; design knowledge is still useful context for other sections.

Section 4

Installing, Configuring, and Setup

Deploy ESXi 8, vCenter Server Appliance, Identity Federation with ADFS/Okta/PingFed, vSphere Distributed Switch (NIOC v3, LACP), Content Libraries, vSphere Configuration Profiles (8.0 U1+), and vLCM image-based clusters.

Section 5

Performance-tuning, Optimization, and Upgrades

DRS Score, predictive DRS, Storage DRS, NIOC, HA admission control (cluster resource percent vs. slot policy), Fault Tolerance (SMP-FT), vMotion of vGPU VMs, EVC with new CPU classes, and vLCM remediation.

Section 6

Troubleshooting and Repairing

Diagnose vCenter, ESXi, vCLS, vSAN ESA, NVMe-oF, distributed switch, vMotion, HA, DRS, and Identity Federation issues using logs, vCenter alarms, esxtop, and the Broadcom KB.

Section 7

Administrative and Operational Tasks

VM lifecycle, snapshots, vMotion/Storage vMotion, Storage Policy-Based Management (SPBM), Native Key Provider, vTPM, VBS, VM encryption, RBAC, alarms, and Content Libraries.

Preparing for the VCP-DCV Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 300/500 (scaled)
  • Assessment: 70 single- and multiple-choice items. The 2V0-21.23 guide uses seven standard sections; Section 3 (Planning and Designing) has no testable objectives. Content is based on VMware vSphere 8.0.
  • Time limit: 135 minutes, including adequate time for non-native English speakers
  • Exam / certification fees: $250 USD Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 422 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

VCP-DCV: Suggested Study Strategy

1Lab the new vSphere 8 features hands-on: DPU-backed hosts, vLCM image clusters, vSAN ESA, Native Key Provider, and Identity Federation with Okta or ADFS
2Memorize HA admission control policies (cluster resource percent vs. slot policy vs. dedicated failover hosts) and when each is recommended
3Practice configuring VDS features: NIOC v3 shares, LACP LAGs, traffic filtering, and port mirroring
4Understand DRS Score, predictive DRS, and how Storage DRS makes affinity and placement decisions
5Drill encryption: Native Key Provider vs. Standard Key Provider, vTPM, VBS, VM encryption, and vMotion encryption
6Know vSphere with Tanzu Supervisor Cluster components (Supervisor Control Plane VMs, Tanzu Kubernetes Grid clusters, vSphere Pods)
7Practice timed 70-question simulations - 135 minutes works out to roughly 1 minute 55 seconds per item
8Read the Broadcom 2V0-21.23 Exam Preparation Guide PDF cover to cover and map every objective to a hands-on lab

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the VCP-DCV passing score?

The 2V0-21.23 exam uses a scaled score with 300 as the passing score. It has 70 single- and multiple-choice items and a 135-minute time limit. Because scores are scaled across exam forms, Broadcom does not publish a raw percentage needed to pass.

Is the 2V0-21.23 VCP-DCV exam retired?

Not as of October 2026. Broadcom's VCP-DCV page still offers registration for 2V0-21.23, and its certification catalog lists VCP-DCV under VMware Legacy Certifications. Broadcom's current VMware Cloud Foundation track includes the VCP-VVF Administrator (2V0-16.25) and VCP-VCF Administrator (2V0-17.25) credentials.

Is training still mandatory for VCP-DCV?

No. As of May 6, 2024, Broadcom removed the mandatory training prerequisite for VCP-level exams, including 2V0-21.23. Recommended courses such as 'VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [V8]' are still strongly suggested, especially for candidates without 6-12 months of hands-on vSphere 8 administration experience.

What topics are covered in the VCP-DCV exam?

The 2V0-21.23 guide has seven standard sections: Architecture and Technologies; Products and Solutions; Planning and Designing (no testable objectives); Installing, Configuring, and Setup; Performance-tuning, Optimization, and Upgrades; Troubleshooting and Repairing; and Administrative and Operational Tasks. Broadcom does not publish percentage weights.

Which vSphere 8 features should I study for the exam?

Broadcom publishes no topic weights or most-tested feature list for 2V0-21.23. Work through every exam-guide objective, including current vSphere 8 capabilities such as image-based vSphere Lifecycle Manager, vSAN Express Storage Architecture, and the vSphere Native Key Provider.

Can I retake 2V0-21.23 if I fail?

Yes, with a mandatory 7-day waiting period after each failed attempt, and each attempt is charged at the standard $250 USD price. Once you pass a proctored VCP exam, you cannot retake the same exam until a new major exam revision is released.

How does VCP-DCV compare to VCP-VCF?

VCP-DCV (2V0-21.23) focuses on vSphere 8.x: ESXi, vCenter, vSAN, vMotion, HA, DRS, networking and lifecycle management. VCP-VCF Administrator (2V0-17.25) validates VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0 administration, where vSphere is one component alongside vSAN, NSX, VCF Operations and VCF Automation.

How long should I study for 2V0-21.23?

Most candidates spend 4-10 weeks (roughly 100-180 hours) preparing. Strong candidates with 1+ year of vSphere experience can finish in 4-5 weeks; candidates new to vSphere 8 typically need 8-10 weeks. Effective plans combine the official Exam Guide PDF, hands-on labs covering vLCM/vSAN ESA/Identity Federation, and at least 200 timed practice questions with 80%+ accuracy before scheduling.