VMware 2V0-51.23 Exam Dumps & Practice Test Questions

Question 1:

An enterprise is planning a VMware Horizon deployment and needs a solution that supports rapid provisioning of Windows and Linux desktops, centralized session management, and secure end-to-end access.

Which deployment option is most suitable for meeting all these requirements?

A. VMware vSphere Desktop Edition
B. VMware Horizon On-Premises
C. VMware Horizon Cloud on Microsoft Azure
D. VMware Workspace ONE Unified Endpoint Management

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

When selecting the ideal VMware Horizon deployment model, it's essential to evaluate each option based on three critical organizational needs: quick deployment of desktops, centralized brokering, and comprehensive security. Among the available options, VMware Horizon Cloud on Microsoft Azure most comprehensively addresses all these areas.

1. Fast Deployment of Desktops:
Organizations increasingly demand fast and scalable delivery of virtual desktops, especially for hybrid workforces. Horizon Cloud on Microsoft Azure leverages Azure’s robust cloud infrastructure and VMware's virtualization technology to allow the rapid creation of Windows and Linux virtual desktops. Unlike on-premises solutions that require physical infrastructure and complex provisioning workflows, Horizon Cloud enables on-demand scaling using cloud-native automation and provisioning tools.

2. Centralized Brokering:
Brokering refers to how users are matched with their virtual desktops or apps. Horizon Cloud includes a cloud-based brokering service, offering centralized control over sessions, entitlements, and policy enforcement across globally distributed environments. Administrators can manage sessions, monitor user behavior, and apply access controls via a unified management console, eliminating the complexity of local brokers in multiple data centers.

3. End-to-End Security:
Horizon Cloud is built with a zero-trust security architecture, integrating both VMware and Azure security frameworks. It includes multi-factor authentication (MFA), encryption of data in transit and at rest, integration with Microsoft Defender, and secure tunneling via unified access gateways, thereby reducing the attack surface. Importantly, virtual desktops do not require public internet exposure, enhancing security posture significantly.

Let’s briefly assess why the other options are not sufficient:

• A. VMware vSphere Desktop Edition is a licensing model and not a deployment platform. It does not offer brokering, provisioning, or security features.

• B. VMware Horizon On-Premises can meet centralized brokering and security needs but lacks agility and speed compared to cloud-based alternatives. On-prem solutions typically involve longer provisioning timelines due to hardware procurement and configuration.

• D. VMware Workspace ONE UEM is designed for managing physical and virtual endpoints, not for delivering virtual desktops. It is a complementary solution rather than a standalone virtualization platform.

Conclusion:
VMware Horizon Cloud on Microsoft Azure meets all three core requirements—fast desktop deployment, centralized control, and end-to-end security—making it the optimal choice.

Question 2:

A user has Adobe Acrobat 11 assigned through App Volumes, but the virtual desktop (VM25) already has Adobe Acrobat 11 installed natively. What will occur when the user logs into VM25?

A. The App Volume package attaches to VM25, and clicking the shortcut opens the assigned application.
B. A shortcut is created on the desktop, but the application itself is not attached.
C. The application from the App Volume is not attached because the native installation takes priority.
D. A desktop shortcut appears, and clicking it triggers App Volume to attach the package.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

VMware App Volumes delivers applications dynamically by attaching them to desktops at runtime. This allows organizations to manage and distribute applications without installing them on each virtual machine individually. However, when an application already exists natively on the desktop, special logic is applied to avoid duplication and conflict.

In the scenario described, Adobe Acrobat 11 is natively installed on VM25, and the same application is also assigned via App Volumes to the user. Here's what happens:

Conflict Avoidance Behavior:
App Volumes is designed with built-in mechanisms to detect application conflicts. If an assigned AppStack contains an application that already exists on the machine—whether installed manually or as part of a gold image—App Volumes will not attach the AppStack. This is done to prevent conflicts involving DLL files, registry entries, and file versions, which can lead to unpredictable behavior or application failures.

Why the Correct Answer is C:
In this case, C is accurate because the native installation of Adobe Acrobat 11 takes precedence, and App Volumes skips the attachment process. The AppStack is ignored specifically to preserve system integrity and ensure a seamless user experience.

Why the Other Options are Incorrect:

• A suggests the application is attached and runs via App Volumes. This is incorrect because the presence of a native install blocks the attachment.

• B mentions a shortcut is created but the application isn’t attached. While this scenario might occur under certain edge cases (like delayed assignment), it is not standard behavior. If the AppStack isn't attached, a shortcut typically won't be generated either.

• D implies an on-demand attachment triggered by shortcut interaction, which is not how App Volumes works. Attachments are made during login (user-based) or boot (machine-based), not dynamically upon clicking.

Conclusion:
App Volumes detects the existing native installation and avoids attaching the conflicting AppStack to prevent redundancy and maintain system stability. Therefore, the correct behavior is described in option C.

Question 3:

An administrator is setting up a VMware Horizon desktop pool that must fulfill these conditions:

• Each user must always connect to the same virtual desktop.

• The desktop VMs must support image-level backups.

• The desktops will be cloned weekly using vSphere APIs.

Which desktop pool configuration best aligns with these requirements?

A. Automated Desktop Pool using Dedicated Full Clone VMs
B. Automated Desktop Pool using Floating Instant Clone VMs
C. Automated Desktop Pool using Dedicated Instant Clone VMs
D. Automated Desktop Pool using Floating Full Clone VMs

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

This scenario describes a need for persistent, easily managed virtual desktops that integrate with existing infrastructure, particularly backup and automation tools. Let’s examine the three core requirements and determine the best desktop pool configuration to meet them:

1. Persistent desktop assignment:
   Users must receive the same virtual machine each time they log in, implying a dedicated desktop pool is necessary. In dedicated pools, the virtual desktop is persistently assigned to a specific user, unlike floating pools where users receive the next available VM from a shared pool.

2. Image-based backup compatibility:
   The organization uses image-based backup solutions, which typically operate at the full VM level. For this reason, the desktops must be Full Clones. Instant Clones and Linked Clones use delta disks and are not compatible with traditional image-level backup tools, as they rely on shared base disks and ephemeral components. Full Clones are independent VMs, making them ideal for image-level backups and snapshots.

3. Weekly cloning through vSphere API:
   Since cloning will be scheduled and managed via the vSphere API, administrative control over the VM lifecycle is important. Full Clones offer flexibility for scheduled cloning, VM customization, and integration with vSphere tools without the constraints that Instant Clones impose.

Now let’s analyze the options:

• A. Automated Desktop Pool using Dedicated Full Clone VMs (Correct):
  This satisfies all conditions—dedicated assignment ensures users always get the same VM; Full Clones are compatible with backup and vSphere API cloning; and the pool is managed through Horizon, enabling seamless automation.

• B. Automated Desktop Pool using Floating Instant Clone VMs (Incorrect):
  Instant Clones are short-lived, quickly created on demand, and automatically deleted. They are incompatible with backup tools and do not provide persistent user assignment.

• C. Automated Desktop Pool using Dedicated Instant Clone VMs (Incorrect):
  Although dedicated, Instant Clones are still ephemeral and not suited for traditional image-level backups.

• D. Automated Desktop Pool using Floating Full Clone VMs (Incorrect):
  Full Clones support backups, but floating assignment contradicts the requirement that users always receive the same desktop.

Conclusion:
Option A is the only choice that delivers persistent user assignment, compatibility with image-based backups, and administrative control over VM cloning using vSphere APIs.

Question 4:

Your company needs to prevent specific users from redirecting or saving data from their virtual desktops to local client devices during non-business hours (5PM to 9AM).

Which method provides the most effective and flexible way to enforce this policy?

A. Apply settings using Group Policy Objects (GPOs) with the vdm_blast.admx template.
B. Block TCP port 9427 using the company firewall during restricted hours.
C. Modify registry settings in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE on the virtual desktops.
D. Use VMware Dynamic Environment Manager (DEM) Smart Policies with conditional settings.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

The organization’s goal is to control user behavior dynamically based on time and user identity, specifically preventing actions like drive redirection or saving files to local devices outside of permitted business hours. This requires a solution that is both context-aware and flexible, supporting conditions such as:

• Time of day (e.g., enforce restrictions only from 5PM to 9AM)

• User identity or group membership

• Device or location

VMware Dynamic Environment Manager (DEM) with Horizon Smart Policies is purpose-built for this type of use case.

Let’s evaluate each option:

• A. GPOs using vdm_blast.admx (Incorrect):
  Group Policy Objects can configure Blast protocol settings, but they are static, applied at login or on a timed refresh. They lack the ability to dynamically enforce policies based on real-time session conditions such as time of day. This solution also lacks flexibility and cannot distinguish user context within the session.

• B. Firewall blocking TCP port 9427 (Incorrect):
  Port 9427 is unrelated to VMware Horizon's data redirection features. Even if a relevant port were blocked, firewalls operate at the network level and lack the ability to granularly control Horizon session behaviors. They cannot enforce user-based or time-based application-layer policies.

• C. Registry configuration in VDM Agent (Incorrect):
  While registry edits can adjust Horizon Agent behavior, these are static settings that apply system-wide. They do not support dynamic conditions, such as enforcing different behaviors during business vs. non-business hours.

• D. VMware DEM Smart Policies (Correct):
  This is the only option that allows real-time, condition-based control over Horizon sessions. Smart Policies enable administrators to apply restrictions based on:
  
  

• Time of day

• User groups

• Device type

• IP location

• Client OS

• With Smart Policies, you can dynamically disable features like drive mapping, clipboard redirection, USB access, and printing during non-business hours. Policies can be centrally managed and updated, applying instantly without requiring user logout.

Only VMware Dynamic Environment Manager Smart Policies provide the necessary granularity, flexibility, and dynamic enforcement to meet the organization's security requirement effectively. This makes Option D the correct and most robust solution.

Question 5:

An administrator deployed VMware Horizon with Unified Access Gateway (UAG) to enable external VDI access. However, external users see a black screen and then get disconnected, despite all necessary ports being open. Internal users have no issues. UAG logs indicate that Blast traffic is being directed to the Connection Server instead of the target VDI machine.

What change should the administrator make to resolve this?

A. Upload a certificate for the Blast Proxy under Horizon Edge settings
B. Add the port number to the Blast External URL in the UAG configuration
C. Enable the Tunnel option on the Unified Access Gateway
D. Disable the Tunnel and Gateway options on the Horizon Connection Server

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

This scenario is a common misconfiguration issue in VMware Horizon environments where Unified Access Gateway (UAG) is used to facilitate external access to VDI desktops. When external users experience a black screen followed by disconnection, it typically indicates that protocol traffic (Blast, PCoIP) is not reaching the intended virtual desktop machine (VDI).

Let’s walk through the scenario:

• Internal users can connect without issue, which suggests that the VDI infrastructure and Connection Servers are functioning correctly.

• External users experience connection failure.

• Logs show that the Blast protocol traffic is being routed to the Connection Server, not to the desktop VM.

The root cause lies in a configuration mismatch between the Horizon Connection Server and the UAG. When UAG is used for external access, it must be the only gateway used for protocol traffic like Blast or PCoIP. If the Horizon Connection Server is also configured to act as a secure tunnel or gateway, it causes incorrect routing, leading to failed connections because the Connection Server is not accessible externally for protocol traffic.

Solution:
The administrator must disable tunneling and protocol gateway services on the Horizon Connection Server, specifically:

• “Use Secure Tunnel connection to desktop”

• “Use PCoIP Secure Gateway”

• “Use Blast Secure Gateway”

This ensures that all protocol traffic from external clients is handled solely by the UAG, which is accessible and designed to terminate external protocol connections securely and efficiently.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

• A: Uploading a certificate is important for secure communication but will not resolve incorrect traffic routing.

• B: Updating the URL might be needed for proper redirection, but if traffic is being incorrectly handled by the Connection Server, fixing the URL alone won’t help.

• C: Enabling Tunnel on UAG is not the solution—it doesn’t solve protocol flow errors caused by Connection Server misconfiguration.

Therefore, the correct corrective action is disabling Tunnel and Gateway services on the Connection Server to ensure the UAG handles all external traffic properly.

Question 6:

A junior VMware Horizon administrator reports being unable to see all RDS farms configured in the environment.

Where should a senior administrator make a change to resolve this permission issue?

A. Global Entitlements
B. Access Groups
C. Global Policies
D. Category Folder

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

In VMware Horizon, administrative access is governed by Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and Access Group assignments. If a junior administrator cannot view all Remote Desktop Services (RDS) farms, this is most likely due to limited access permissions assigned to that administrator’s account.

The key to this visibility issue lies in Access Groups. These are organizational units used in Horizon to group objects like desktop pools, RDS farms, and application pools. More importantly, administrator roles can be scoped to specific Access Groups, allowing for granular control over who can manage or even see certain resources.

If an RDS farm is located in an Access Group that the junior admin’s role doesn’t include, the Horizon Console will not display those resources to that user. This setup helps in organizations where administrative duties are separated by department, geography, or function.

To resolve the issue, a higher-level administrator should:

1. Navigate to Horizon Administrator Console.

2. Check which Access Groups contain the missing RDS farms.

3. Either:
   
   

• Assign the junior admin’s role to include those additional Access Groups, or

• Move the RDS farms into an Access Group that the junior admin already has access to.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

• A. Global Entitlements: These control user access to resources across multiple pods, not administrative visibility.

• C. Global Policies: These are related to user session behavior (e.g., clipboard redirection, USB policies), not admin access control.

• D. Category Folder: These are used to organize apps for end-user display, not administrative grouping or permissions.

In summary, Access Groups directly govern what administrators can see and manage within the Horizon environment. Adjusting Access Group permissions or visibility is the appropriate action when an admin is unable to see certain infrastructure components like RDS farms.

Question 7:

Which two types of VDI client devices generally deliver the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO) while also simplifying device management, firmware updates, and performance monitoring?

A. Headless Clients
B. Windows Clients
C. Thin Clients
D. Zero Clients
E. macOS Clients

Correct Answers: C, D

Explanation:

When organizations deploy Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) solutions like VMware Horizon, a key factor in choosing client hardware is the total cost of ownership (TCO). TCO encompasses not just initial hardware cost but also factors such as licensing, maintenance, manageability, update frequency, and security. Among the options provided, Thin Clients and Zero Clients are widely recognized for offering the lowest TCO and the simplest management experience, especially at scale.

Let’s evaluate the two correct options:

• Thin Clients (C):
  Thin Clients are minimalist endpoints built primarily to connect to a central VDI server. They have limited computing resources, run lightweight operating systems (often Linux-based), and rely on remote computing protocols like PCoIP, Blast Extreme, or RDP. Thin clients are known for:
  
  

• Centralized configuration and updates using tools like HP Device Manager or Dell Wyse Management Suite.

• Lower energy usage and extended hardware lifespans.

• Minimal local software, reducing the attack surface and simplifying patch management.
  This makes them ideal for enterprise-scale deployments where administrative overhead must be reduced.
  
  

• Zero Clients (D):
  Zero Clients take the minimalist concept further. They typically:
  
  

• Lack a general-purpose OS or local storage.

• Boot directly into a remote desktop session.

• Are pre-configured for a specific protocol, like PCoIP.
  Zero Clients have an extremely low attack surface, almost zero management requirements, and offer high reliability. They are perfect for secure, locked-down environments such as government or healthcare networks, offering ultra-low TCO due to minimal support and update needs.

Let’s briefly consider why the other options are incorrect:

• A. Headless Clients: These are not commonly used for VDI endpoints. They typically serve roles in automation or server environments, not for user desktop access.

• B. Windows Clients: Though powerful, these come with significant maintenance overhead—frequent patching, antivirus requirements, software updates, and higher support needs—making them less cost-effective in a VDI model.

• E. macOS Clients: Apple hardware is expensive, and macOS requires frequent updates. It also lacks centralized management capabilities specifically tailored for VDI at the enterprise level.

Conclusion:
For organizations seeking cost-effective, scalable, and easy-to-manage VDI deployments, Thin Clients and Zero Clients are the clear winners. They significantly reduce TCO while providing consistent performance and simplified administrative processes.

Question 8:

Which two of the following are predefined roles available within the VMware Horizon Console’s role-based access control system?

A. Desktop Pool Administrators
B. Instant Clone Administrators
C. Server Administrators
D. Local Administrators
E. Inventory Administrators

Correct Answers: A, E

Explanation:

VMware Horizon uses role-based access control (RBAC) to delegate specific administrative tasks while adhering to the principle of least privilege. This allows large organizations to separate responsibilities without giving every administrator full control over the Horizon environment.

Within the Horizon Console, several predefined roles are available to assign specific levels of access. These predefined roles help streamline permissions management and ensure secure delegation of tasks.

Let’s look at the two correct options:

• A. Desktop Pool Administrators:
  This predefined role allows users to manage desktop pools, which are collections of virtual desktops grouped for deployment. With this role, administrators can:
  
  

• Create and delete desktop pools.

• Modify pool settings.

• Assign and unassign users.
  This role is useful for mid-level admins responsible for desktop-level operations without needing access to global or infrastructure-wide settings.
  
  

• E. Inventory Administrators:
  Inventory Administrators can manage key objects in the Horizon environment, such as:
  
  

• Desktop pools.

• RDS farms.

• Application assignments.
  They cannot modify global configurations, manage authentication, or change infrastructure settings. This role is suitable for help desk teams or operations staff who require frequent access to VDI resources but not full administrative control.

Now, let’s eliminate the incorrect options:

• B. Instant Clone Administrators:
  Although Instant Clone technology is integral to Horizon, there is no predefined role named “Instant Clone Administrator.” Admins can manage Instant Clones using broader roles, but this specific role does not exist out of the box.

• C. Server Administrators:
  No such predefined role exists within the Horizon Console. Server management is typically handled under broader administrative roles such as Administrator or View Administrator.

• D. Local Administrators:
  This term typically refers to operating system-level administrators on a Windows machine and is not a role within Horizon Console. It has no relevance in Horizon RBAC.

Conclusion:
The two predefined Horizon Console roles that support secure delegation and effective VDI resource management are Desktop Pool Administrators and Inventory Administrators

Question 9:

When configuring a desktop pool in VMware Horizon, which type of assignment ensures that a user always receives the same virtual desktop each time they log in?

A. Floating assignment
B. Dedicated assignment
C. Instant Clone assignment
D. Manual pool

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

In VMware Horizon, desktop pools define how virtual desktops are delivered to users. One of the key settings in pool configuration is the user assignment type, which determines whether users get the same desktop each time or a new one each session.

There are two primary assignment types:

• Floating Assignment: Users are assigned a random desktop from the pool at login. After logout, the desktop is returned to the pool and may be assigned to someone else.

• Dedicated Assignment: Users are assigned a specific virtual desktop. That user will always be connected to the same VM for future sessions.

Dedicated assignment (Option B) is the correct answer because it ensures persistence—users keep the same desktop, which is important for use cases where applications are installed locally or users need to retain settings.

Let’s break down the incorrect options:

• A. Floating assignment is non-persistent, ideal for environments where users don’t need custom settings or installed apps.

• C. Instant Clone assignment refers to the provisioning method, not the user assignment. Instant Clones can be used with both floating and dedicated pools.

• D. Manual pool involves administrators manually selecting machines to be part of the pool. It can support both assignment types, but on its own, it doesn’t enforce persistence.

In summary, dedicated assignment is used when consistency across sessions is needed for a user. It's common in regulated industries or scenarios where desktop customization must persist.

Question 10:

In VMware Horizon, what role does the Connection Server primarily serve?

A. Hosts user desktops and applications
B. Manages vSphere storage resources
C. Authenticates users and brokers desktop connections
D. Performs monitoring and reporting

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

The Connection Server is a core component in VMware Horizon. It acts as the central broker that authenticates users and manages connections between clients and virtual desktops or published applications.

When a user logs in through the Horizon Client or via a browser, the request is handled by the Connection Server, which:

• Authenticates the user (either directly or via integration with Active Directory, RADIUS, or SAML)

• Determines which desktop pool or application the user is entitled to access

• Establishes the appropriate protocol (PCoIP, Blast Extreme, RDP) for the session

• Directs the client to the correct virtual desktop, RDSH session, or app

This makes Option C the correct answer.

Now, reviewing the other choices:

• A. Hosts user desktops and applications – This is done by ESXi hosts running in vSphere, not the Connection Server.
  B. Manages vSphere storage resources – Storage management is the responsibility of vCenter Server and vSphere, not the Horizon components.

• D. Performs monitoring and reporting – These tasks are handled by Horizon Help Desk Tool, vRealize Operations for Horizon, or third-party tools like ControlUp, not by the Connection Server itself.

Additionally, Connection Servers can be used in a replicated configuration, providing load balancing and fault tolerance. There’s also a Security Server (deprecated) and Unified Access Gateway (UAG) for external access, but internal brokering always passes through the Connection Server.

In summary, the Connection Server is the central component for authentication, entitlement management, and brokering user connections in Horizon environments.