VMware 1V0-41.20 Exam Dumps & Practice Test Questions

Question 1:

Which two benefits are most commonly associated with implementing VMware vRealize Automation? (Select two.)

A. Streamlines and automates the deployment of virtual machines
B. Provides physical hardware-specific resource allocation
C. Centralizes full network configuration management
D. Supports infrastructure provisioning through automated workflows
E. Enhances network security via advanced firewall capabilities

Answer: A and D

Explanation:

VMware vRealize Automation (vRA), now branded under VMware Aria Automation, is a powerful platform for automating the delivery and lifecycle of IT services. It empowers organizations to adopt Infrastructure as Code (IaC) practices, implement self-service provisioning, and maintain governance and policy compliance across multi-cloud environments.

Option A is accurate because one of the cornerstone features of vRealize Automation is its ability to simplify and automate the provisioning of virtual machines. With vRA, administrators can define reusable templates (known as blueprints) that specify configurations such as operating system, CPU, memory, storage, and network parameters. These blueprints are then made available through a self-service catalog, allowing users to deploy VMs quickly and consistently without manual intervention. This not only improves efficiency but also reduces human error and accelerates delivery.

Option D is also correct. vRealize Automation allows for the creation of automated workflows that go beyond basic VM provisioning. These workflows can include storage configuration, load balancer settings, IP address assignment, software deployment, or integration with external systems like change management or ITSM tools. Automation workflows help enforce IT policies and ensure that infrastructure provisioning aligns with business needs. These workflows can be triggered by events or user actions, delivering full-stack automation across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.

On the other hand:

• Option B is incorrect because vRA operates at a virtualization and cloud abstraction layer. It manages resources through vSphere or cloud APIs, not based on direct physical hardware allocation.

• Option C does not apply. While vRA can interact with networking components, it is not designed to manage or configure networks centrally. That task typically falls to VMware NSX or similar networking tools.

• Option E is not a core function of vRA. Advanced firewall management and security configurations are handled by network virtualization solutions like NSX, not vRA.

In conclusion, VMware vRealize Automation is best known for automating virtual machine provisioning and enabling complex workflows for infrastructure delivery. The most relevant and impactful advantages of using vRA are represented by Options A and D.

Question 2:

Which two actions are essential for successfully implementing a VMware Cloud Automation solution? (Select two.)

A. Setting up advanced load balancers for virtual machine traffic
B. Defining custom policies for provisioning and releasing resources
C. Installing vSphere Client for infrastructure administration
D. Creating access control and user-based security policies
E. Manually configuring the operating system of each virtual machine

Answer: B and D

Explanation:

A successful VMware Cloud Automation deployment involves more than just deploying virtual infrastructure—it requires careful planning around resource governance, security, and policy-based control. Tools like VMware Aria Automation (formerly vRealize Automation) enable teams to manage cloud environments at scale with automation and compliance built in.

Option B is a core task. Custom policies for resource provisioning and deallocation are critical to ensuring cloud resources are used efficiently. Without these policies, organizations may experience resource sprawl, wasted infrastructure, or increased costs. These policies can define lease times for VMs, automate reclamation of idle resources, enforce cost limits, and maintain compliance with organizational standards. Such policy-driven automation ensures that resources are available when needed but not left underutilized.

Option D is equally essential. Access control and security policies ensure that only authorized users and groups can access specific automation resources. Using Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), administrators can restrict access to templates, environments, and infrastructure components. This improves both operational security and compliance posture, especially in environments with multiple departments or shared infrastructure. These policies are foundational to protecting cloud resources from unauthorized usage or misconfiguration.

The other options, while technically related to IT operations, are not central to VMware Cloud Automation deployment:

• Option A pertains to network and application-level optimization. While VMware Cloud Automation may provision VMs that are behind a load balancer, the manual configuration of load balancing is not typically part of automation deployment workflows.

• Option C, installing the vSphere Client, is outdated in the context of modern cloud automation. Most management is handled through the automation portal or APIs, not the traditional vSphere interface.

• Option E, manual OS configuration, contradicts automation principles. VMware Cloud Automation uses blueprints and templates to ensure that operating system settings, applications, and patches are automatically applied during provisioning. Manual configuration undermines efficiency, consistency, and repeatability.

Therefore, the most relevant and essential tasks for a successful VMware Cloud Automation deployment are B and D, as they directly contribute to resource efficiency, operational security, and governance.

Question 3:

Which two of the following tools are integral components of VMware vRealize Automation that enable automation and infrastructure provisioning? (Choose two)

A. vRealize Orchestrator (vRO)
B. VMware NSX
C. vRealize Operations Manager (vROps)
D. vCenter Server
E. vRealize Log Insight (vRLI)

Correct Answers: A and D

Explanation:

VMware vRealize Automation (vRA) is an enterprise-ready platform that automates the provisioning and management of IT infrastructure and applications across private and hybrid clouds. It allows organizations to streamline the delivery of resources through self-service portals and policy-driven workflows. The power of vRA comes from its integration with several key VMware components, two of which are vRealize Orchestrator (vRO) and vCenter Server.

Option A, vRealize Orchestrator (vRO), is a core component of vRA that acts as the automation engine behind the scenes. It allows administrators to create custom workflows for advanced provisioning, configuration, and lifecycle tasks. These workflows can be as simple as restarting a VM or as complex as integrating with external systems like ServiceNow or Active Directory. With vRO, users can extend the functionality of vRA beyond its out-of-the-box capabilities, making it highly flexible and scalable to meet specific organizational needs.

Option D, vCenter Server, while technically a separate product from vRA, is crucial to vRA's functioning. vCenter is the management platform for VMware’s virtual infrastructure. vRA uses it to interact with the underlying infrastructure—creating VMs, managing clusters, assigning storage, and configuring networking. Without vCenter, vRA would not be able to deploy or manage VMware-based resources, making it a foundational piece in the vRA ecosystem.

Option B, VMware NSX, while often integrated with vRA to automate network and security provisioning, is not a native component of vRA. It is a separate product focused on network virtualization and security. NSX enhances vRA’s capabilities but is not required for basic automation tasks.

Option C, vRealize Operations Manager (vROps), provides performance monitoring and capacity analytics for virtual environments. It is part of the broader vRealize Suite, but it is not embedded in vRA. It serves a different purpose, helping monitor and optimize the infrastructure, not automate its provisioning.

Option E, vRealize Log Insight (vRLI), is a centralized log management tool used for log analytics and troubleshooting. Like vROps, it complements vRA but is not a built-in component.

In summary, vRO provides orchestration capabilities, and vCenter Server is essential for infrastructure provisioning, making A and D the two correct answers.

Question 4:

Which two user roles benefit most from the self-service capabilities of VMware vRealize Automation? (Choose two)

A. IT administrators responsible for manually configuring virtual machines
B. End users who request cloud resources like virtual machines and applications
C. Application developers seeking rapid and automated environment provisioning
D. Help desk staff managing IT support tickets
E. Network engineers configuring physical network hardware

Correct Answers: B and C

Explanation:

VMware vRealize Automation (vRA), now part of VMware Aria Automation, empowers organizations to accelerate service delivery by enabling self-service infrastructure provisioning. The self-service portal is a key feature, allowing users to request, deploy, and manage IT resources on-demand, governed by policies and approval workflows.

Option B, cloud consumers, are a primary group that benefits from the self-service portal. These users, often from different business units, may not be part of IT but require IT resources such as virtual machines, applications, or databases to perform their work. The portal provides them with pre-approved, standardized service blueprints. Once logged in, they can select and deploy resources based on available quotas and business policies—without opening a help desk ticket. This autonomy reduces provisioning time from days to minutes and enables agility.

Option C, application developers, also gain substantial value from self-service automation. In fast-paced DevOps environments, developers need rapid access to test and production environments. vRA enables the provisioning of entire application stacks through Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and blueprint-based deployment. This allows developers to spin up environments that mirror production reliably and consistently, integrate with CI/CD pipelines, and reduce time spent waiting on IT support.

In contrast, Option A, IT administrators manually configuring VMs, do not primarily use the portal for routine tasks. Their role is to set up and maintain the infrastructure, manage policies, and configure automation workflows that power the portal—but they aren’t the target audience for self-service usage.

Option D, service desk agents, typically work within ITSM platforms like ServiceNow. Although vRA can integrate with such systems, help desk agents do not directly use the self-service portal for provisioning infrastructure. Their role is more focused on issue resolution and request handling.

Option E, network engineers managing physical infrastructure, fall outside the scope of vRA's self-service capabilities. vRA is designed for software-defined and cloud-based resource provisioning, not manual configuration of routers, switches, or physical cabling.

In conclusion, the self-service portal in vRA is built to empower cloud consumers and application developers, enabling them to quickly provision IT services while maintaining policy compliance and operational efficiency. Thus, B and C are the correct choices.

Question 5:

Which two capabilities provided by VMware vRealize Automation (vRA) play a key role in enabling cloud automation? (Choose two.)

A. Managing configuration states in multi-cloud environments
B. Provisioning of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) resources
C. Enforcing security policies for cloud networks
D. Orchestrating full application lifecycle workflows
E. Encrypting virtual machine storage volumes

Answer: B and D

Explanation:

VMware vRealize Automation (vRA) is a cloud automation and orchestration solution that allows organizations to deploy, manage, and govern infrastructure and application resources across private, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments. Its strength lies in streamlining IT operations through automation, reducing provisioning time, enforcing policies, and enabling DevOps practices.

Option B, Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) provisioning, is one of the primary services offered by vRA. It allows IT administrators to define infrastructure blueprints that include compute, storage, and networking components. Users can then provision virtual machines or entire environments on-demand using self-service catalogs. This automation eliminates the need for repetitive manual configurations and promotes consistency across deployments, which is critical in fast-moving enterprise IT environments.

Option D, application lifecycle management, is another essential capability. With vRA, organizations can define, deploy, and manage multi-tier applications using customizable blueprints and automation scripts. It integrates seamlessly with tools like Ansible, Puppet, or Chef for configuration management and supports workflows for deployment, updates, scaling, and retirement of applications. This approach accelerates software delivery cycles, supports DevOps methodologies, and enhances collaboration between development and operations teams.

Option A, cloud configuration management, refers more to tools that enforce configuration compliance and drift remediation (e.g., Puppet, Chef). While vRA can trigger these tools through integrations, it doesn't natively provide full-scale configuration management.

Option C, cloud network security management, typically falls under the domain of VMware NSX, which can be integrated with vRA. However, vRA itself does not directly manage security rules or micro-segmentation policies.

Option E, virtual machine storage encryption, is not handled by vRA. This is a feature governed by vSphere and underlying storage or security platforms. vRA might trigger the provisioning of encrypted resources, but it doesn’t manage encryption directly.

In summary, the two core services that vRealize Automation delivers to support cloud automation are automated infrastructure provisioning (IaaS) and end-to-end application lifecycle management. These capabilities are fundamental to modern IT agility and scalability in hybrid cloud architectures.

Question 6:

Which two features of vRealize Automation most effectively increase operational efficiency in IT service delivery? (Choose two.)

A. Automated provisioning of cloud infrastructure and services
B. Integration with third-party log and metrics tools
C. Manual vertical scaling of virtualized workloads
D. Built-in approval workflows for service request governance
E. Autonomous patch deployment for virtual machines

Answer: A and D

Explanation:

Operational efficiency in cloud and IT operations refers to the ability to deliver services quickly, reliably, and consistently—without unnecessary manual intervention. VMware vRealize Automation (vRA) achieves this through intelligent automation, policy-based governance, and end-user self-service capabilities.

Option A, automated provisioning of cloud services, is central to operational efficiency. Instead of having system administrators manually configure virtual machines, storage, and networking resources, vRA empowers users to request services through a self-service catalog. These services are delivered automatically based on pre-defined blueprints and policies. This eliminates delays, reduces errors, and ensures consistent configurations across environments—be it vSphere, AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. It’s a cornerstone of DevOps-friendly infrastructure and is often used in conjunction with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) practices.

Option D, customizable approval workflows, further enhances operational efficiency by embedding governance into the provisioning process without bottlenecks. Administrators can create flexible workflows that trigger approvals based on resource type, cost, department, or sensitivity level. For example, high-cost virtual machines may require director approval, while smaller test environments may be auto-approved. This enables rapid delivery while maintaining compliance and control.

Option B, while valuable, refers to monitoring, which supports operations indirectly but does not directly automate provisioning or reduce workload.

Option C, manual scaling of VMs, contradicts the principle of automation. Efficient operations demand dynamic or policy-based scaling, not manual processes, which introduce delay and require constant human involvement.

Option E, automatic patching, while important for security and maintenance, is not a direct feature of vRA. Patch management is typically handled by vSphere Lifecycle Manager or other dedicated platforms. vRA might integrate with patching tools, but patch automation is not a primary driver of its efficiency model.

In conclusion, automated provisioning (A) and approval workflows (D) are the two vRA features that directly enhance operational efficiency by minimizing manual steps, enforcing policies, and delivering consistent, scalable services across diverse cloud environments. These capabilities form the backbone of modern, agile IT service delivery.

Question 7:

Which two VMware solutions are most commonly integrated with vRealize Automation to deliver full cloud automation capabilities? (Choose two)

A. VMware vSphere
B. VMware vCenter Operations Manager
C. VMware NSX
D. VMware Horizon
E. VMware vRealize Orchestrator

Correct Answers: A and E

Explanation:

To achieve comprehensive automation within a private or hybrid cloud environment, VMware vRealize Automation (vRA) depends on integration with several other components within the VMware ecosystem. Among the available options, the two most critical for enabling seamless and complete automation are VMware vSphere and VMware vRealize Orchestrator (vRO).

VMware vSphere serves as the core virtualization platform and provides the underlying infrastructure layer required for deploying and managing virtual machines (VMs). It includes ESXi, the hypervisor responsible for virtual workloads, and vCenter Server, the centralized management interface. vRealize Automation uses vSphere as the foundation for provisioning virtual infrastructure. With vSphere integration, vRA can request compute, memory, and storage resources and directly deploy workloads onto the ESXi hosts managed by vCenter. Without vSphere, vRA lacks a substrate to perform on-premises provisioning, making this integration essential.

VMware vRealize Orchestrator, on the other hand, extends vRA’s capabilities beyond simple infrastructure provisioning. It allows administrators to design custom automation workflows that can include logic-based branching, API calls, and interaction with both VMware and third-party platforms. For example, vRO workflows can automate post-deployment steps like assigning IPs, creating Active Directory entries, or calling external REST APIs. By integrating vRA with vRO, organizations can build end-to-end service delivery pipelines.

Now let’s look at the other options:

• Option B (vCenter Operations Manager) is outdated and replaced by vRealize Operations (vROps). While vROps is excellent for monitoring and performance analysis, it is not required for provisioning and does not play a core role in cloud automation.

• Option C (VMware NSX) enhances vRA by automating network provisioning and security, but it's optional. While useful for network micro-segmentation and dynamic routing, NSX is not mandatory for general cloud automation.

• Option D (VMware Horizon) is focused on virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and isn’t part of the typical automation path within vRA.

In conclusion, for foundational cloud automation, vRealize Automation must be integrated with vSphere for infrastructure provisioning and vRealize Orchestrator for automation workflows. These two products deliver the core functionality that makes vRA an effective automation platform.

Question 8:

Which two types of infrastructure environments can be used with VMware vRealize Automation to support self-service resource provisioning? (Choose two)

A. Public cloud environments
B. Private cloud environments
C. Hybrid cloud models
D. On-premises physical servers without virtualization
E. Cloud services without programmable interfaces (APIs)

Correct Answers: A and B

Explanation:

VMware vRealize Automation (vRA) is purpose-built to offer self-service provisioning of IT resources across multiple infrastructure environments. Its flexibility allows it to integrate with various platforms, but it operates most effectively in public and private cloud environments where virtualization and API-driven orchestration are standard.

The first correct answer, A (Public Clouds), reflects vRA’s ability to integrate with leading public cloud providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). This integration enables organizations to deploy workloads, provision resources, and apply policies in public cloud environments from the same interface used for managing private infrastructure. Public cloud support empowers organizations to adopt a multi-cloud strategy, increasing scalability and reducing reliance on a single cloud provider.

The second correct answer, B (Private Clouds), is equally fundamental. vRA was originally created to automate infrastructure within vSphere-based private data centers. This allows IT teams to transform their on-premises environments into private clouds by enabling users to request resources such as virtual machines, storage, and networking through a self-service catalog. This setup maintains compliance, ensures governance, and often meets strict data residency or security requirements that public clouds may not support.

The other options do not align with how vRA operates:

• C (Hybrid Clouds) is a model, not a distinct environment. While vRA facilitates hybrid cloud management by bridging public and private clouds, it doesn’t provision directly “to a hybrid cloud.” Rather, it enables workflows that combine the two types of environments.

• D (On-premises physical servers) refers to bare-metal infrastructure, which vRA does not directly manage. vRA requires an abstraction layer—typically a hypervisor like ESXi—to enable provisioning and automation.

• E (Cloud services without APIs) are incompatible with vRA. The platform relies on API-driven communication to provision and manage infrastructure, making services without APIs unusable.

In summary, the self-service provisioning capabilities of vRA are best realized in public and private cloud environments, where virtualization and programmable interfaces allow for policy-based, on-demand resource delivery. These are the core infrastructures that vRA supports effectively.

Question 9:

Which two techniques are commonly used in VMware vRealize Automation to control and limit user access to cloud resources? (Choose 2.)

A. Role-based access control (RBAC)
B. Granting access solely through vCenter permissions
C. Integration with Active Directory for automatic user creation
D. Enforcement through user groups linked to specific service templates
E. Defining policies and workflows to govern resource usage

Correct Answers: A and E

Explanation:

VMware vRealize Automation (vRA) is designed to deliver self-service cloud infrastructure while maintaining control, governance, and security. A major element of this control is the system's ability to regulate which users can perform which actions, and on what resources. Two principal techniques that vRA uses for this purpose are Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and custom policies combined with automation workflows.

Option A — RBAC is a core feature that assigns specific roles and permissions to users or groups. These roles determine what actions a user can perform, such as requesting virtual machines, modifying blueprints, or approving resource requests. For example, a “Cloud Assembly Admin” can manage cloud templates and projects, while a “Catalog Consumer” may only request services. RBAC ensures least-privilege access and aligns with enterprise security models.

Option E — Custom policies and workflows extend control beyond user identity. Policies can define approval steps, usage quotas, lease durations, and resource constraints. These policies ensure that even if a user has access to request a resource, the request is evaluated based on organizational rules. Workflows can automate actions such as sending approval emails or triggering external integrations when certain conditions are met.

Option B is incorrect because vRA does not rely on vCenter-level permissions for access management. While vCenter manages hypervisor-level resources, vRA abstracts these through its own governance mechanisms.

Option C references directory integration, which supports authentication and group membership mapping, but user provisioning alone doesn’t control resource access.

Option D misunderstands how access is structured in vRA. Access is managed through projects, roles, and entitlements, not through service templates themselves.

In conclusion, RBAC and custom policies/workflows are the two most effective and scalable ways to control resource access in vRA, supporting secure, compliant, and tailored cloud operations.

Question 10:

Which two use cases align with what VMware vRealize Orchestrator (vRO) is designed to automate in cloud environments? (Choose 2.)

A. Automating infrastructure provisioning via workflows
B. Performing automatic OS patching on virtual machines
C. Managing local storage for physical servers
D. Automatically applying firewall rules during VM deployment
E. Creating policy-based multi-cloud deployment blueprints

Correct Answers: A and D

Explanation:

vRealize Orchestrator (vRO) is VMware's automation engine built to execute workflows that perform complex IT operations across multiple systems. It integrates seamlessly with vRealize Automation (vRA) and supports extensibility through plugins, REST APIs, and custom scripts. The two primary types of tasks vRO is well-suited for are automating infrastructure provisioning and automating network configurations like firewall rules, especially in combination with VMware NSX.

Option A — Infrastructure provisioning automation is a cornerstone use case for vRO. It allows organizations to create workflows that, for example, deploy a virtual machine, join it to a domain, tag it in vCenter, and register it with a monitoring system—all automatically. These workflows can be triggered manually or as part of a larger vRA cloud template deployment.

Option D — Firewall rule configuration is another strong use case. vRO can automate the creation of security rules in NSX or external firewalls as part of provisioning workflows. This ensures that new applications are deployed with the necessary network security in place, reducing manual errors and enforcing compliance.

Option B, automatic OS patching, is more effectively handled by tools specifically designed for configuration and lifecycle management, such as VMware vRealize Lifecycle Manager or third-party platforms like SCCM or Red Hat Satellite.

Option C, managing physical storage, is outside of vRO’s scope. Orchestrator is focused on software-defined and virtual resources. Physical server hardware is usually managed by OEM-specific tools, not vRO.

Option E, multi-cloud policy-based deployment, is primarily the domain of vRealize Automation, which supports policy-based deployment logic, constraint tags, and cloud zones. While vRO can extend these deployments (e.g., adding post-provisioning tasks), the orchestration of multi-cloud logic resides within vRA.

In summary, vRO shines in automating infrastructure workflows and network configurations, making A and D the most accurate choices in line with its purpose within the VMware Cloud Management framework.