CompTIA Cloud+ Practice Test

Which component manages the flow of network traffic between virtual machines and the host?

1. Virtual NIC

2. Virtual storage

3. Virtual HBA

4. Virtual switch

The correct answer is: Virtual switch

The component that manages the flow of network traffic between virtual machines and the host is the virtual switch. Virtual switches play a crucial role in virtualized environments by functioning similarly to physical switches found in traditional networks. They facilitate communication between virtual machines (VMs) hosted on a hypervisor, enabling them to send and receive data as if they were on a local area network (LAN). The virtual switch connects the virtual NICs of the VMs to each other and to the external networks, effectively managing the distribution of network traffic. This management includes functions like traffic filtering, isolation, and monitoring, which are essential for maintaining network performance and security in a virtualized environment. In contrast, while the virtual NIC allows individual VMs to connect to the network, it does not manage the traffic flow between multiple VMs or between VMs and the host. Virtual storage and virtual HBA (Host Bus Adapter) relate to storage configurations rather than networking. Thus, the virtual switch is the correct answer, as it is specifically designed to handle the networking aspect within a virtualized infrastructure.