VMware Certified Professional - Data Center Virtualization (VCP-DCV) Practice Exam

How can an administrator improve network performance on a distributed switch?

1. By reducing the number of port groups

2. By increasing the MTU size

3. By enabling promiscuous mode

4. By limiting the number of VMs on the switch

The correct answer is: By increasing the MTU size

Increasing the Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) size on a distributed switch can significantly enhance network performance. The MTU defines the maximum packet size that can be transmitted over a network. When the MTU size is increased, it allows the transmission of larger packets, which can reduce the number of packets that need to be processed and sent across the network. This, in turn, lowers the overhead associated with handling smaller packets and can reduce latency, leading to improved throughput. In environments with high data transfer rates or applications that demand substantial bandwidth, such as video streaming or large file transfers, a larger MTU can optimize the efficiency of data transmission. However, it is essential to ensure that all network devices between the source and the destination support the configured MTU size, as any mismatch can lead to packet fragmentation or loss. While other options may seem relevant, they do not directly address the core issue of network performance in the same impactful manner as adjusting MTU size does. Reducing the number of port groups or limiting the number of VMs can have operational benefits but does not intrinsically improve the efficiency of data transmission. Enabling promiscuous mode generally pertains to security and monitoring rather than enhancing performance in a distributed switch context.