VMware Administrator Q&A (Q70–Q77) 👇
70. What is Fault Tolerance (FT)?
Fault Tolerance (FT) provides continuous availability for VMs by creating a live shadow instance on another host.
If the primary VM fails, the secondary VM immediately takes over with no downtime and no data loss. FT requires shared storage and a low-latency network.
71. What is vSphere Lifecycle Manager (vLCM)?
vLCM is used to automate and simplify the lifecycle management of ESXi hosts and clusters.
It allows administrators to apply a consistent image across all hosts for patching, upgrading, and firmware updates.
It replaces the older vSphere Update Manager (VUM) for more streamlined and image-based management.
72. What are VMware Tools and why are they important?
VMware Tools is a set of utilities installed inside the guest OS to improve performance and management.
It enables:
Better mouse and keyboard integration
Enhanced network and graphics drivers
Time synchronization with host
Graceful shutdown and reboot from vCenter
Without VMware Tools, VM performance and functionality can be limited.
73. What is vSphere Update Manager (VUM)?
VUM automates patching, upgrades, and updates of ESXi hosts and virtual appliances.
It scans hosts for compliance, downloads necessary patches, and applies them during maintenance windows.
VUM has now been integrated into vSphere Lifecycle Manager in vSphere 7 and later versions.
74. What is a VM Compatibility (Hardware) Version?
Each VM in VMware has a hardware version that determines which virtual hardware features it supports.
Upgrading the hardware version allows access to new features introduced in newer ESXi releases.
Example: Hardware version 19 corresponds to ESXi 7.0.
75. What is a vSphere Distributed Switch (vDS)?
A vDS provides centralized network management across multiple ESXi hosts.
It ensures consistent configuration for VM networking, security, and monitoring.
Key features include:
Network I/O Control (NIOC)
Port Mirroring
NetFlow
Load balancing and failover options
vDS simplifies large-scale networking management compared to individual Standard Switches.
76. What is a Standard Switch (vSS)?
A vSS (vSphere Standard Switch) is a local virtual switch configured individually on each ESXi host.
It connects VMs to physical NICs (uplinks) and allows basic network management.
Used mostly in smaller environments where centralized management (vDS) isn’t required.
77. What are the differences between vSS and vDS?
51. What are the main log files in ESXi used for troubleshooting?
vmkernel.log – Hardware and storage issues
hostd.log – Host management service
vpxa.log – Communication with vCenter
vmware.log – Individual VM logs
52. How do you check performance issues in a VM?
Use vCenter Performance charts or esxtop to monitor CPU, memory, disk, and network usage. Check for resource contention, ballooning, or high CPU Ready time.
53. How can you expand storage for a running VM?
Increase VMDK size in vSphere, then expand the partition inside the guest OS using disk management tools.
54. How do you migrate a VM between different datastores?
Use Storage vMotion to move VM files between datastores without downtime.
55. How do you back up VMware VMs?
Use VMware-compatible backup tools like Veeam, Nakivo, or Commvault. These leverage vSphere APIs (VADP) for efficient image-based backups.
56. How do you enable SSH on an ESXi host?
Go to DCUI → Troubleshooting Options → Enable SSH, or enable it via vSphere Client under Host → Services → SSH → Start.
57. How do you collect logs from an ESXi host?
Use vSphere Client → Export System Logs, or run the command vm-support from the ESXi shell to generate a log bundle.
58. How do you add an ESXi host to vCenter?
In vCenter, go to Hosts and Clusters → Add Host, enter the ESXi IP/credentials, verify fingerprint, and complete the wizard.
59. What is vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA)?
VCSA is a Linux-based version of vCenter that replaces the Windows installation. It’s easier to deploy, manage, and includes built-in services like PSC and database.
60. What is PSC (Platform Services Controller)?
PSC provides infrastructure services such as SSO (Single Sign-On), licensing, and certificate management for vCenter and other VMware components.
41. What is vApp in VMware?
A vApp is a container for multiple VMs that operate together as a single application. It allows setting startup order, resource allocation, and network configuration for grouped VMs.
42. What are VMware Tools?
VMware Tools is a set of utilities that improves VM performance and management. It enhances features like mouse control, time sync, and graceful shutdown from vCenter.
43. What is a Resource Pool?
A Resource Pool logically divides CPU and memory resources within an ESXi host or cluster. It helps organize and control how resources are allocated among multiple VMs.
44. What is EVC (Enhanced vMotion Compatibility)?
EVC masks CPU features across hosts in a cluster to ensure vMotion compatibility between different CPU generations, preventing migration failures.
45. What is Fault Tolerance (FT)?
Fault Tolerance provides continuous availability by creating a secondary VM that mirrors the primary VM in real time. If the primary host fails, the secondary takes over instantly.
46. What is vSphere Replication?
vSphere Replication replicates VMs from one datastore or site to another. It provides data protection and disaster recovery at the hypervisor level.
47. What is Host Profile in VMware?
Host Profile captures configuration from a reference host and applies it to others for consistency. It ensures standardized ESXi configuration across environments.
48. What is Lockdown Mode in ESXi?
Lockdown Mode restricts direct host access (like SSH or DCUI) and enforces management only through vCenter, improving security and control.
49. What is vSphere Distributed Switch (vDS)?
A vDS provides centralized network management across multiple hosts, offering advanced features like traffic shaping, port mirroring, and monitoring.
50. What is Standard vSwitch (vSS)?
A Standard Switch is configured per host and provides basic virtual networking for VMs. It connects VMs to physical networks and handles host-level traffic.
70. What is Fault Tolerance (FT)?
Fault Tolerance (FT) provides continuous availability for VMs by creating a live shadow instance on another host.
If the primary VM fails, the secondary VM immediately takes over with no downtime and no data loss. FT requires shared storage and a low-latency network.
71. What is vSphere Lifecycle Manager (vLCM)?
vLCM is used to automate and simplify the lifecycle management of ESXi hosts and clusters.
It allows administrators to apply a consistent image across all hosts for patching, upgrading, and firmware updates.
It replaces the older vSphere Update Manager (VUM) for more streamlined and image-based management.
72. What are VMware Tools and why are they important?
VMware Tools is a set of utilities installed inside the guest OS to improve performance and management.
It enables:
Better mouse and keyboard integration
Enhanced network and graphics drivers
Time synchronization with host
Graceful shutdown and reboot from vCenter
Without VMware Tools, VM performance and functionality can be limited.
73. What is vSphere Update Manager (VUM)?
VUM automates patching, upgrades, and updates of ESXi hosts and virtual appliances.
It scans hosts for compliance, downloads necessary patches, and applies them during maintenance windows.
VUM has now been integrated into vSphere Lifecycle Manager in vSphere 7 and later versions.
74. What is a VM Compatibility (Hardware) Version?
Each VM in VMware has a hardware version that determines which virtual hardware features it supports.
Upgrading the hardware version allows access to new features introduced in newer ESXi releases.
Example: Hardware version 19 corresponds to ESXi 7.0.
75. What is a vSphere Distributed Switch (vDS)?
A vDS provides centralized network management across multiple ESXi hosts.
It ensures consistent configuration for VM networking, security, and monitoring.
Key features include:
Network I/O Control (NIOC)
Port Mirroring
NetFlow
Load balancing and failover options
vDS simplifies large-scale networking management compared to individual Standard Switches.
76. What is a Standard Switch (vSS)?
A vSS (vSphere Standard Switch) is a local virtual switch configured individually on each ESXi host.
It connects VMs to physical NICs (uplinks) and allows basic network management.
Used mostly in smaller environments where centralized management (vDS) isn’t required.
77. What are the differences between vSS and vDS?
FeaturevSS (Standard Switch)vDS (Distributed Switch)ConfigurationPer hostCentralized (via vCenter)MonitoringLimitedAdvanced (NetFlow, Port Mirroring)Use CaseSmall setupsLarge environmentsManagementManual per hostTemplate-based and automated
VMware Administrator Q&A (Q61–Q69) 👇
61. What is VM Affinity and Anti-Affinity Rule?
Affinity Rule: Keeps specific VMs together on the same host. It’s useful when VMs need to communicate frequently (e.g., app server and database).
Anti-Affinity Rule: Ensures specific VMs stay on different hosts to improve fault tolerance. Example: placing two domain controllers on separate hosts.
62. What is a Resource Pool in VMware?
A Resource Pool is a logical abstraction for managing CPU and memory resources within a cluster or host.
It allows administrators to allocate and control resources for groups of VMs or departments, ensuring fair distribution and performance isolation.
63. What is EVC (Enhanced vMotion Compatibility)?
EVC ensures that vMotion works across different generations of CPUs.
It does this by masking CPU features on newer hosts so all hosts in a cluster present the same CPU features to VMs, enabling seamless live migration.
64. What is vSphere Replication?
vSphere Replication is a disaster recovery solution that replicates VMs from one site to another.
It continuously copies VM data to a secondary location, allowing administrators to recover the VM quickly if the primary site fails.
65. What is Linked Mode in vCenter?
Linked Mode allows multiple vCenter Servers to be managed from a single vSphere Client interface.
It synchronizes roles, licenses, and global inventory data across all linked vCenters, making multi-site management easier.
66. What is the difference between Template and Clone?
Clone: A copy of a VM that can be created while the VM is powered on or off. Used for creating a single duplicate.
Template: A master image used to deploy multiple identical VMs. Templates cannot be powered on directly and are used for consistent deployments.
67. What is a Content Library in vSphere?
A Content Library is a centralized storage repository for VM templates, ISO images, and scripts.
It can be shared across multiple vCenters and automates deployment consistency across environments.
68. What are vApps in VMware?
A vApp is a container that groups multiple VMs as a single unit for management.
It allows combined operations like power on/off and can define startup order, resource allocation, and network settings for all included VMs — often used for multi-tier applications.
69. What is a Host Profile?
A Host Profile captures the configuration of an ESXi host (networking, storage, security, etc.) and allows you to apply that same configuration to other hosts.
It ensures consistency and compliance across all hosts in a cluster.
VMware Administrator Q&A (Q41–Q50) 👇
VMware Administrator Q&A (Q51–Q60):51. What are the main log files in ESXi used for troubleshooting?
vmkernel.log – Hardware and storage issues
hostd.log – Host management service
vpxa.log – Communication with vCenter
vmware.log – Individual VM logs
52. How do you check performance issues in a VM?
Use vCenter Performance charts or esxtop to monitor CPU, memory, disk, and network usage. Check for resource contention, ballooning, or high CPU Ready time.
53. How can you expand storage for a running VM?
Increase VMDK size in vSphere, then expand the partition inside the guest OS using disk management tools.
54. How do you migrate a VM between different datastores?
Use Storage vMotion to move VM files between datastores without downtime.
55. How do you back up VMware VMs?
Use VMware-compatible backup tools like Veeam, Nakivo, or Commvault. These leverage vSphere APIs (VADP) for efficient image-based backups.
56. How do you enable SSH on an ESXi host?
Go to DCUI → Troubleshooting Options → Enable SSH, or enable it via vSphere Client under Host → Services → SSH → Start.
57. How do you collect logs from an ESXi host?
Use vSphere Client → Export System Logs, or run the command vm-support from the ESXi shell to generate a log bundle.
58. How do you add an ESXi host to vCenter?
In vCenter, go to Hosts and Clusters → Add Host, enter the ESXi IP/credentials, verify fingerprint, and complete the wizard.
59. What is vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA)?
VCSA is a Linux-based version of vCenter that replaces the Windows installation. It’s easier to deploy, manage, and includes built-in services like PSC and database.
60. What is PSC (Platform Services Controller)?
PSC provides infrastructure services such as SSO (Single Sign-On), licensing, and certificate management for vCenter and other VMware components.
41. What is vApp in VMware?
A vApp is a container for multiple VMs that operate together as a single application. It allows setting startup order, resource allocation, and network configuration for grouped VMs.
42. What are VMware Tools?
VMware Tools is a set of utilities that improves VM performance and management. It enhances features like mouse control, time sync, and graceful shutdown from vCenter.
43. What is a Resource Pool?
A Resource Pool logically divides CPU and memory resources within an ESXi host or cluster. It helps organize and control how resources are allocated among multiple VMs.
44. What is EVC (Enhanced vMotion Compatibility)?
EVC masks CPU features across hosts in a cluster to ensure vMotion compatibility between different CPU generations, preventing migration failures.
45. What is Fault Tolerance (FT)?
Fault Tolerance provides continuous availability by creating a secondary VM that mirrors the primary VM in real time. If the primary host fails, the secondary takes over instantly.
46. What is vSphere Replication?
vSphere Replication replicates VMs from one datastore or site to another. It provides data protection and disaster recovery at the hypervisor level.
47. What is Host Profile in VMware?
Host Profile captures configuration from a reference host and applies it to others for consistency. It ensures standardized ESXi configuration across environments.
48. What is Lockdown Mode in ESXi?
Lockdown Mode restricts direct host access (like SSH or DCUI) and enforces management only through vCenter, improving security and control.
49. What is vSphere Distributed Switch (vDS)?
A vDS provides centralized network management across multiple hosts, offering advanced features like traffic shaping, port mirroring, and monitoring.
50. What is Standard vSwitch (vSS)?
A Standard Switch is configured per host and provides basic virtual networking for VMs. It connects VMs to physical networks and handles host-level traffic.
💡 VMware Admin Interview Q&A
VMware (Q31–Q40) 👇
31. What is vMotion?
vMotion enables live migration of running VMs between ESXi hosts without downtime. It transfers memory, CPU, and network state seamlessly, commonly used for load balancing and maintenance.
32. What is Storage vMotion?
Storage vMotion moves a VM’s virtual disk files between datastores while the VM is powered on, ensuring zero downtime during storage upgrades or maintenance.
33. What is DRS (Distributed Resource Scheduler)?
DRS balances VM workloads across hosts in a cluster based on CPU and memory utilization. It can operate in manual, partially automated, or fully automated modes.
34. What is HA (High Availability)?
HA automatically restarts VMs on another host if a host fails. It ensures minimal downtime and continuous availability of virtual machines.
35. What is the difference between DRS and HA?
DRS focuses on performance optimization and load balancing using vMotion.
HA ensures availability by restarting VMs after a host failure.
DRS = proactive; HA = reactive.
36. What is vCenter Server?
vCenter Server is a centralized platform used to manage multiple ESXi hosts and VMs. It enables cluster-level features like DRS, HA, and provides unified monitoring and control.
37. What is a Datastore?
A datastore is a logical storage container that holds VM files such as VMDKs, snapshots, and ISOs. It can be backed by local disks, SAN, NAS, or VMware vSAN.
38. What is a vSphere Cluster?
A vSphere Cluster is a group of ESXi hosts that work together to provide high availability (HA), resource balancing (DRS), and efficient resource pooling.
39. What is vSAN?
vSAN aggregates local storage devices from ESXi hosts into a shared, software-defined storage pool. It delivers high performance and fault tolerance for clustered environments.
40. What is a Snapshot in VMware?
A snapshot preserves a VM’s state and data at a specific point in time. It’s useful for backups or testing, but should not be kept for long periods due to performance impact.
VMware (Q31–Q40) 👇
31. What is vMotion?
vMotion enables live migration of running VMs between ESXi hosts without downtime. It transfers memory, CPU, and network state seamlessly, commonly used for load balancing and maintenance.
32. What is Storage vMotion?
Storage vMotion moves a VM’s virtual disk files between datastores while the VM is powered on, ensuring zero downtime during storage upgrades or maintenance.
33. What is DRS (Distributed Resource Scheduler)?
DRS balances VM workloads across hosts in a cluster based on CPU and memory utilization. It can operate in manual, partially automated, or fully automated modes.
34. What is HA (High Availability)?
HA automatically restarts VMs on another host if a host fails. It ensures minimal downtime and continuous availability of virtual machines.
35. What is the difference between DRS and HA?
DRS focuses on performance optimization and load balancing using vMotion.
HA ensures availability by restarting VMs after a host failure.
DRS = proactive; HA = reactive.
36. What is vCenter Server?
vCenter Server is a centralized platform used to manage multiple ESXi hosts and VMs. It enables cluster-level features like DRS, HA, and provides unified monitoring and control.
37. What is a Datastore?
A datastore is a logical storage container that holds VM files such as VMDKs, snapshots, and ISOs. It can be backed by local disks, SAN, NAS, or VMware vSAN.
38. What is a vSphere Cluster?
A vSphere Cluster is a group of ESXi hosts that work together to provide high availability (HA), resource balancing (DRS), and efficient resource pooling.
39. What is vSAN?
vSAN aggregates local storage devices from ESXi hosts into a shared, software-defined storage pool. It delivers high performance and fault tolerance for clustered environments.
40. What is a Snapshot in VMware?
A snapshot preserves a VM’s state and data at a specific point in time. It’s useful for backups or testing, but should not be kept for long periods due to performance impact.
VMware Administrator interview Q&A
13. What is vCenter Server and why is it important?
Answer:
vCenter Server is the centralized management platform for VMware environments.
It helps manage multiple ESXi hosts, VMs, clusters, and resources from one interface.
It also enables HA, DRS, vMotion, and templates — all cluster-level features require vCenter.
⚙️ 14. What is the difference between Standard Switch and Distributed Switch?
Answer:
FeatureStandard Switch (vSS)Distributed Switch (vDS)ScopePer-host configurationCentralized across hostsManagementManaged individuallyManaged via vCenterMonitoringBasicAdvanced (NetFlow, port mirroring)Use CaseSmall setupsLarge/enterprise clusters
🔄 15. What is Host Profile in VMware?
Answer:
A Host Profile captures configuration from a reference ESXi host and applies it to other hosts for consistency — useful for large environments to maintain standardized configurations.
💾 16. Explain Datastore and its types.
Answer:
A Datastore is a logical container for storing VM files (VMX, VMDK, logs, etc.).
Types:
VMFS (VMware File System) – block-based, used with SAN or local disks.
NFS (Network File System) – file-based, uses network shares.
vSAN Datastore – storage pooled from ESXi hosts.
🔐 17. What is vSAN and how does it work?
Answer:
vSAN aggregates local disks (SSD + HDD) from multiple hosts into a single shared datastore.
It provides high performance, resiliency, and is fully integrated with vSphere.
🧩 18. What are VMware Tools and why are they important?
Answer:
VMware Tools is a suite of utilities installed inside VMs that improves:
Performance (drivers, time sync)
Functionality (copy-paste, mouse sync)
Management (shutdown/reboot from vCenter)
🧱 19. What is a Template in VMware?
Answer:
A Template is a master copy of a VM used to deploy new VMs quickly with identical configuration and OS — ensures consistency across the environment.
⚠️ 20. How do you troubleshoot when a VM is not powering on?
Answer:
Steps:
Check available resources (CPU, RAM, datastore space).
Review VM logs (vmware.log).
Check for snapshot issues or locked VMDK files.
Verify permissions and hardware compatibility.
Check vCenter tasks & events for errors.
🔁 21. What is Fault Tolerance (FT) in VMware?
Answer:
FT provides zero downtime by running a secondary VM on another host that mirrors the primary in real-time.
If the primary host fails, the secondary takes over instantly.
📡 22. What is vSphere Replication?
Answer:
vSphere Replication replicates VMs to another site or datastore for disaster recovery.
It operates at the hypervisor level and integrates with vCenter Site Recovery Manager (SRM).
🧾 23. What are the common causes of vMotion failure?
Answer:
CPU compatibility issues (EVC not configured)
Incompatible network configuration
Insufficient shared storage
DRS or HA misconfiguration
Lack of vMotion network connectivity
13. What is vCenter Server and why is it important?
Answer:
vCenter Server is the centralized management platform for VMware environments.
It helps manage multiple ESXi hosts, VMs, clusters, and resources from one interface.
It also enables HA, DRS, vMotion, and templates — all cluster-level features require vCenter.
⚙️ 14. What is the difference between Standard Switch and Distributed Switch?
Answer:
FeatureStandard Switch (vSS)Distributed Switch (vDS)ScopePer-host configurationCentralized across hostsManagementManaged individuallyManaged via vCenterMonitoringBasicAdvanced (NetFlow, port mirroring)Use CaseSmall setupsLarge/enterprise clusters
🔄 15. What is Host Profile in VMware?
Answer:
A Host Profile captures configuration from a reference ESXi host and applies it to other hosts for consistency — useful for large environments to maintain standardized configurations.
💾 16. Explain Datastore and its types.
Answer:
A Datastore is a logical container for storing VM files (VMX, VMDK, logs, etc.).
Types:
VMFS (VMware File System) – block-based, used with SAN or local disks.
NFS (Network File System) – file-based, uses network shares.
vSAN Datastore – storage pooled from ESXi hosts.
🔐 17. What is vSAN and how does it work?
Answer:
vSAN aggregates local disks (SSD + HDD) from multiple hosts into a single shared datastore.
It provides high performance, resiliency, and is fully integrated with vSphere.
🧩 18. What are VMware Tools and why are they important?
Answer:
VMware Tools is a suite of utilities installed inside VMs that improves:
Performance (drivers, time sync)
Functionality (copy-paste, mouse sync)
Management (shutdown/reboot from vCenter)
🧱 19. What is a Template in VMware?
Answer:
A Template is a master copy of a VM used to deploy new VMs quickly with identical configuration and OS — ensures consistency across the environment.
⚠️ 20. How do you troubleshoot when a VM is not powering on?
Answer:
Steps:
Check available resources (CPU, RAM, datastore space).
Review VM logs (vmware.log).
Check for snapshot issues or locked VMDK files.
Verify permissions and hardware compatibility.
Check vCenter tasks & events for errors.
🔁 21. What is Fault Tolerance (FT) in VMware?
Answer:
FT provides zero downtime by running a secondary VM on another host that mirrors the primary in real-time.
If the primary host fails, the secondary takes over instantly.
📡 22. What is vSphere Replication?
Answer:
vSphere Replication replicates VMs to another site or datastore for disaster recovery.
It operates at the hypervisor level and integrates with vCenter Site Recovery Manager (SRM).
🧾 23. What are the common causes of vMotion failure?
Answer:
CPU compatibility issues (EVC not configured)
Incompatible network configuration
Insufficient shared storage
DRS or HA misconfiguration
Lack of vMotion network connectivity
VMware Administrator Interview Q&A :
1. What are the main components of vSphere?
Answer:
vSphere consists of vCenter Server, ESXi Hosts, and VMs.
ESXi: The hypervisor that runs virtual machines.
vCenter: Centralized management platform for ESXi hosts.
2. What is vMotion and how does it work?
Answer:
vMotion allows live migration of VMs from one ESXi host to another without downtime.
It transfers the VM’s memory and execution state while the disk files remain on shared storage.
3. Difference between vMotion, Storage vMotion, and Cold Migration
Answer:
vMotion – Moves a running VM between hosts.
Storage vMotion – Moves a VM’s disk files between datastores.
Cold Migration – Moves a powered-off VM between hosts or datastores.
4. What is HA (High Availability) in VMware?
Answer:
HA restarts VMs automatically on other hosts in the cluster if a host fails. It minimizes downtime.
5. What is DRS (Distributed Resource Scheduler)?
Answer:
DRS balances workloads across hosts in a cluster based on CPU and memory usage.
It can perform automatic or manual vMotion to optimize performance.
6. What is EVC (Enhanced vMotion Compatibility)?
Answer:
EVC ensures CPU compatibility across hosts in a cluster so that vMotion works seamlessly even with different CPU generations.
7. What is a Resource Pool in VMware?
Answer:
A Resource Pool divides and manages host resources (CPU, memory) for better organization and control among multiple VMs or teams.
8. What is a vApp in vSphere?
Answer:
A vApp is a container for multiple VMs that work together as a single application with shared startup order and resources.
9. How do you troubleshoot a VM performance issue?
Answer:
Check CPU, Memory, Disk, and Network usage in vCenter.
Verify VM Tools and hardware version.
Check for resource contention or snapshot overgrowth.
Review logs in /var/log/vmkernel.log.
10. What are VMware snapshots and best practices?
Answer:
Snapshots capture the state of a VM at a point in time.
Best Practices:
Avoid keeping them long-term.
Delete or consolidate snapshots regularly.
Use before major changes or upgrades.
11. What is the difference between Thick and Thin provisioning?
Answer:
Thick: Allocates full disk space upfront.
Thin: Allocates space as data is written — saves storage but may grow dynamically.
12. What are some logs to check during VMware troubleshooting?
Answer:
vmkernel.log – Hardware & storage issues
vpxa.log – vCenter agent
hostd.log – Host management service
vmware.log – Individual VM logs
1. What are the main components of vSphere?
Answer:
vSphere consists of vCenter Server, ESXi Hosts, and VMs.
ESXi: The hypervisor that runs virtual machines.
vCenter: Centralized management platform for ESXi hosts.
2. What is vMotion and how does it work?
Answer:
vMotion allows live migration of VMs from one ESXi host to another without downtime.
It transfers the VM’s memory and execution state while the disk files remain on shared storage.
3. Difference between vMotion, Storage vMotion, and Cold Migration
Answer:
vMotion – Moves a running VM between hosts.
Storage vMotion – Moves a VM’s disk files between datastores.
Cold Migration – Moves a powered-off VM between hosts or datastores.
4. What is HA (High Availability) in VMware?
Answer:
HA restarts VMs automatically on other hosts in the cluster if a host fails. It minimizes downtime.
5. What is DRS (Distributed Resource Scheduler)?
Answer:
DRS balances workloads across hosts in a cluster based on CPU and memory usage.
It can perform automatic or manual vMotion to optimize performance.
6. What is EVC (Enhanced vMotion Compatibility)?
Answer:
EVC ensures CPU compatibility across hosts in a cluster so that vMotion works seamlessly even with different CPU generations.
7. What is a Resource Pool in VMware?
Answer:
A Resource Pool divides and manages host resources (CPU, memory) for better organization and control among multiple VMs or teams.
8. What is a vApp in vSphere?
Answer:
A vApp is a container for multiple VMs that work together as a single application with shared startup order and resources.
9. How do you troubleshoot a VM performance issue?
Answer:
Check CPU, Memory, Disk, and Network usage in vCenter.
Verify VM Tools and hardware version.
Check for resource contention or snapshot overgrowth.
Review logs in /var/log/vmkernel.log.
10. What are VMware snapshots and best practices?
Answer:
Snapshots capture the state of a VM at a point in time.
Best Practices:
Avoid keeping them long-term.
Delete or consolidate snapshots regularly.
Use before major changes or upgrades.
11. What is the difference between Thick and Thin provisioning?
Answer:
Thick: Allocates full disk space upfront.
Thin: Allocates space as data is written — saves storage but may grow dynamically.
12. What are some logs to check during VMware troubleshooting?
Answer:
vmkernel.log – Hardware & storage issues
vpxa.log – vCenter agent
hostd.log – Host management service
vmware.log – Individual VM logs
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