CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201)Virtualization and Cloud ComputingHard
An organization's virtualization host inventory has grown to include dozens of unused, forgotten test VMs that continue to consume storage, licensing, and CPU cycles even though no one actively uses them. Which term describes this situation?
- AResource pooling
- BCloud bursting
- CVM sprawl
- DContainer drift
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. VM sprawl
VM sprawl occurs when virtual machines are created faster than they are retired or tracked, leading to unmanaged, forgotten VMs that waste storage, licensing, and compute resources.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Resource pooling describes shared infrastructure, not unmanaged VM proliferation.
- B. Cloud bursting refers to overflow of workload to public cloud, unrelated to unused VM buildup.
- D. Container drift is not a standard exam term and does not describe unused VM accumulation.
VM Sprawl
A situation where virtual machines are created faster than they can be managed or decommissioned, resulting in unused VMs wasting resources and licenses.
- Caused by lack of lifecycle management
- Wastes storage, CPU, and licensing costs
- Mitigated by VM inventory audits and governance policies
Memory trick: Forgotten VMs become zombie machines haunting your host.