What 2V0-602 actually tests

The 2V0-602: vSphere 6.5 Foundations exam is a broad-product exam. It does not go deep into design or advanced troubleshooting. It checks whether you understand the moving parts of vSphere 6.5 well enough to work with them in a real environment: ESXi hosts, vCenter Server, virtual machines, storage, networking, resource management, and basic availability features.

This is the exam many people take on the way to VMware’s VCP path, and it rewards hands-on familiarity more than memorized definitions. If you have only watched videos, some questions will feel slippery because VMware likes to test where a task is performed, which component provides a feature, and what the prerequisite is before a feature works.

Expect questions around:

Installing and configuring ESXi and vCenter Server
Managing VMs and templates
vSphere storage concepts like VMFS, NFS, and basic vSAN awareness
Standard switching, port groups, VMkernel adapters, and networking policies
Clusters, vMotion, Storage vMotion, HA, and DRS fundamentals
Permissions, roles, alarms, tasks, and basic monitoring

The exam is not a lab. It is multiple choice, and the difficulty comes from product detail. One wrong word matters. For example, VMware may ask whether a function is tied to host configuration, cluster configuration, or vCenter-only management. Those are the kinds of distinctions you need to be fluent in.

Build the core: ESXi, vCenter Server, and the management plane

Start here. If your foundation is weak, the rest of the exam feels random.

Focus on the architecture of vSphere 6.5:

ESXi as the bare-metal hypervisor
vCenter Server as the centralized management plane
vSphere Web Client / vSphere Client usage in the 6.5 era
PSC-related concepts in 6.5 deployments, even if not tested in deep detail
Host-level management vs vCenter-managed operations

What you should know cold:

ESXi host basics

ESXi installation targets and boot options
Host configuration tasks:
- management network
- DNS
- NTP
- licensing
- lockdown mode
- services and firewall settings
Difference between direct host management and vCenter-managed host operations
Purpose of DCUI, ESXi Shell, and SSH

Be able to answer practical questions like:

Which interface do you use when vCenter is unavailable?
What settings must exist before advanced features like vMotion work?
Which services should be enabled only when needed?

vCenter Server 6.5

For this exam, know what vCenter does, not just that it exists.

Inventory management
Cluster creation
Permissions and roles
Templates and cloning workflows
Alarms, tasks, events, and performance views
Feature enablement for:
- vMotion
- Storage vMotion
- HA
- DRS
- Distributed switch awareness even if the exam leans more heavily on standard networking fundamentals

Understand deployment forms at a high level:

vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA)
Windows-based vCenter in the historical 6.5 context

Do not over-invest in deprecated deployment trivia, but do know the role of the appliance, basic sizing awareness, and why VMware was pushing VCSA.

Permissions, roles, and inventory objects

VMware exams routinely test inheritance and object scope.

Study:

Default roles vs custom roles
Permission propagation through inventory objects
Difference between assigning permissions on:
- datacenter
- cluster
- host
- VM
- datastore
- network object

If a user can power on a VM but cannot change host networking, that should make intuitive sense based on where rights were assigned.

Monitoring and administrative visibility

Know the purpose of:

Tasks and Events
Alarms
Performance charts
Host and VM summary tabs
Recent Tasks pane

These are easy points if you have used the interface. They become trick questions if you have not.

Best way to study this domain

Set up at least:

1 vCenter Server 6.5 instance
2 nested ESXi hosts if your hardware allows it

Practice:

Add hosts to vCenter
Create a datacenter and cluster
Assign licenses
Configure NTP and DNS
Create users/roles or simulate them if using a lab limitation
Trigger and review tasks/events

If you can explain where a feature lives and where a task is configured, you are on track.

Virtual machines: provisioning, lifecycle, and guest interaction

A large part of this exam is simple on the surface and easy to underestimate. VMware expects you to know the full VM lifecycle.

VM creation and configuration

Study the options available when creating a VM:

New VM from scratch
Deploy from template
Clone an existing VM
Hardware compatibility / virtual hardware version awareness
Guest OS selection
CPU and memory allocation
Disk provisioning types:
- thick provision lazy zeroed
- thick provision eager zeroed
- thin provision

You should know where each disk type matters. Eager zeroed thick is especially worth remembering because it appears in VMware questions tied to performance-sensitive or feature-specific scenarios.

VMware Tools and VM hardware

Know what VMware Tools provides:

improved drivers
time synchronization options
guest shutdown/restart operations
better display and mouse handling
performance improvements

Also know the difference between:

upgrading VMware Tools
upgrading virtual hardware

They are not the same operation, and VMware likes that distinction.

Snapshots, clones, and templates

This is one of the most commonly misunderstood areas among new admins.

Be clear on:

What a snapshot captures
Why snapshots are not backups
Snapshot performance impact and cleanup considerations
Difference between full clone and linked clone at a conceptual level
Purpose of templates and when to convert a VM to a template

Questions often test misuse. If a question describes long-term protection, snapshots are usually the wrong answer.

Power operations and migration tasks

You need to understand:

power on/off
reset
suspend/resume
guest OS shutdown/restart
migration prerequisites for vMotion and Storage vMotion

For vMotion-related questions, know the dependencies:

VMkernel port configured for vMotion
compatible networking visibility
shared storage for classic vMotion scenarios
CPU compatibility considerations at a high level

Resource controls at the VM level

Study:

shares
reservations
limits

And apply them to:

CPU
memory

This is a favorite VMware objective area because it tests whether you understand contention. If resources are plentiful, shares usually do not matter. Under contention, they do.

What to practice in the lab

Create VMs with different disk types
Install VMware Tools
Take and remove snapshots
Clone a VM and convert one to a template
Adjust reservations, limits, and shares
Migrate a VM between hosts or datastores if your lab supports it

If you can talk through the lifecycle of a VM from creation to retirement, this domain becomes straightforward.

Storage on the exam: VMFS, NFS, vSAN, and datastore behavior

Storage is where candidates lose easy marks because VMware uses precise terms. Learn the vocabulary and the operational differences.

Datastore types you must know

At minimum, be comfortable with:

VMFS
NFS
vSAN
Raw device mapping awareness at a basic level if it appears in your materials

For each, know:

what it is
where it is used
who manages it
whether it is shared
what its role is in VM placement and migration

VMFS

Know the essentials:

VMware’s clustered file system for block storage
Used on shared storage presented from SAN technologies such as Fibre Channel or iSCSI
Supports multiple ESXi hosts accessing the same datastore

Understand why shared storage matters for features like vMotion, HA, and older operational models.

NFS datastores

You should know:

NFS is file-based storage presented over the network
ESXi can mount NFS datastores
It can also provide shared storage semantics for multiple hosts

VMware may ask you to compare VMFS and NFS operationally. Do not get lost in storage vendor details. Stay focused on what vSphere sees and how the datastore is used.

vSAN basics

For 2V0-602, expect foundational knowledge, not architecture-deep mastery.

Know:

vSAN is VMware’s hyper-converged storage solution
It aggregates local host storage into a shared datastore
It is enabled at the cluster level
It has hardware/networking prerequisites
It depends on proper host contribution and policy-based management concepts

Even if the exam only touches vSAN lightly, remember that its operational model is different from attaching external SAN/NAS storage.

iSCSI and storage adapters

At a practical level, understand:

software iSCSI adapter purpose
VMkernel networking requirement for IP storage traffic
storage rescan behavior when presenting new storage

You do not need to become a SAN engineer for this exam. You do need to know what an ESXi host must have configured before it can use an iSCSI-backed datastore.

Storage policies and datastore operations

Study common datastore tasks:

create datastore
mount/unmount
browse datastore
upload files
provision VMs on a datastore
migrate VM files with Storage vMotion

Also know high-level datastore characteristics:

capacity vs free space
overcommit implications with thin provisioning
datastore accessibility across hosts

Common exam traps in storage

Confusing snapshot behavior with backup behavior
Forgetting that shared storage underpins several mobility/availability features
Mixing up VMFS and NFS access models
Assuming vSAN is just another external datastore type

Lab checklist for storage

If possible, simulate:

one local datastore
one shared datastore
one NFS datastore if your environment allows it

Then:

Create a VM on one datastore
Migrate it with Storage vMotion
Observe what changes and what does not
Review datastore browser contents
Compare host visibility for each datastore type

That sequence covers a lot of exam ground.

Networking and cluster services: where many questions get practical

This is the most operational part of the exam. You need to understand both virtual networking and the cluster features that depend on it.

Standard switching first

For 2V0-602, spend more time on vSphere Standard Switch (vSS) fundamentals than on advanced distributed switch administration.

Know:

virtual switches
port groups
uplinks
VMkernel adapters
physical NIC assignment

Be able to explain the difference between:

a VM port group used by virtual machines
a VMkernel port used by host services such as:
- management traffic
- vMotion
- IP storage
- fault tolerance logging awareness

Network policies

Study these carefully:

Security policies
- promiscuous mode
- MAC address changes
- forged transmits
Traffic shaping basics
NIC teaming and failover
- active/standby
- load balancing policy awareness

VMware often asks what policy affects a specific behavior. These are direct points if you know the names.

VMkernel networking

This matters because many cluster features depend on it.

You should know which services require VMkernel configuration, especially:

management
vMotion
iSCSI/NFS storage traffic
vSAN traffic at a basic level

If a question asks why vMotion is unavailable, think VMkernel configuration before anything else.

vMotion, HA, and DRS

These are central exam topics.

vMotion

Know what it does:

live migration of a running VM from one host to another with minimal interruption

Know the prerequisites at a foundational level:

vCenter management
VMkernel vMotion network
host compatibility
network consistency
storage requirements depending on migration type

Storage vMotion

Know the difference:

migrates VM files between datastores
host may stay the same while storage changes

High Availability (HA)

Study:

cluster-level feature
host failure response
VM restart behavior after host failure
admission control concept
dependency on shared access and proper cluster configuration

Do not overcomplicate HA internals. For this exam, focus on what HA is for and the conditions it needs to function.

Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS)

Know:

balances workloads across hosts in a cluster
uses vMotion to move VMs when needed
can operate with different automation levels
relates to resource utilization and placement decisions

Resource pools and cluster hierarchy

Know the purpose of resource pools and how they interact with:

reservations
limits
shares
parent/child pool hierarchy

This is not the hardest topic, but it is easy to answer incorrectly if you have never created a pool and assigned VMs into it.

What to practice

In your lab:

Build a standard switch
Create separate port groups
Add VMkernel adapters for management and vMotion
Configure NIC teaming policies
Create a cluster
Enable HA and DRS
Test a vMotion if your lab supports shared storage and compatible hosts

Seeing the dependencies once in the interface makes the exam questions much easier.

A realistic prep plan for different starting points

This exam is wide but not deep. Most people can prepare in 2 to 6 weeks, depending on whether they already administer VMware.

If you already work with vSphere weekly: 10-14 days

You probably need objective alignment, not full retraining.

Days 1-2

Review the official exam guide/objectives
Mark weak areas: storage, networking, permissions, or HA/DRS

Days 3-6

Lab the weak areas only
Recreate core tasks from memory:
- add host
- create cluster
- create datastore
- build standard switch and VMkernel ports
- deploy template/clone

Days 7-10

Work through practice questions
For every wrong answer, go back to the product behavior in docs or lab

Final 2-4 days

Rapid review of terminology and prerequisites
Focus on distinctions: vMotion vs Storage vMotion, Tools vs hardware upgrade, VMFS vs NFS, host vs cluster settings

If you have used VMware a little: 3-4 weeks

This is the most common profile.

Week 1: Management plane and VMs

ESXi installation and host config
vCenter roles and inventory
VM creation, cloning, templates, snapshots, VMware Tools

Week 2: Storage and networking

VMFS, NFS, iSCSI basics, vSAN overview
Standard switches, port groups, VMkernel services, NIC teaming, security policies

Week 3: Clusters and resource management

HA, DRS, vMotion, Storage vMotion
resource pools, reservations, limits, shares
permissions, alarms, tasks, events

Week 4: Consolidation

practice exams
re-lab every missed topic
do one full review pass of objectives

If you are new to vSphere: 5-6 weeks

You need both conceptual learning and interface familiarity.

Weeks 1-2

Learn architecture and terminology
Install or access a lab
Create and manage basic VMs

Week 3

Storage types and datastore operations
Practice mounting/using datastores where possible

Week 4

Networking in detail
Build standard switches and VMkernel networking repeatedly

Week 5

Clusters, HA, DRS, vMotion, Storage vMotion
Resource settings and pools

Week 6

Practice questions and targeted review
Memorize prerequisites and role boundaries

How many practice questions?

You have 95 practice questions available on Truekia. Use them late, not early.

A good sequence is:

First pass after you finish all domains
Second pass after reviewing mistakes
Third pass only on missed or uncertain items

Do not just chase a score. For every wrong answer, identify whether the gap was:

concept knowledge
terminology confusion
interface/task location
prerequisite dependency

That diagnosis matters more than the raw percentage.

Resources worth your time for vSphere 6.5 Foundations

Use a small set of good resources. This exam does not require ten courses.

Official VMware sources

Start with VMware’s own material for the exact product version:

VMware Exam Guide for 2V0-602
vSphere 6.5 Documentation on VMware Docs
vCenter Server and Host Management documentation
vSphere Networking documentation
vSphere Storage documentation
vSphere Availability documentation
vSphere Resource Management documentation
VMware Knowledge Base for feature clarifications

The docs are better than most people expect. For this exam, they are especially useful because VMware’s wording in documentation often matches the wording style on the exam.

Official training

If you have access through work or a training budget:

VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [V6.5]

That course maps well to the foundations-level knowledge tested here. It is not mandatory, but it is highly aligned.

Books and practical references

A few reliable references:

Mastering VMware vSphere 6.5 by Nick Marshall, Scott Lowe, and Forbes Guthrie
VMware vSphere 6.5 Host Resources Deep Dive by Frank Denneman, Niels Hagoort, and Duncan Epping for resource management understanding, if you want stronger depth in contention and scheduling concepts

The first book is the better fit for this exam overall. The second is optional and more useful if resource controls are a weak point.

Labs and home practice

Best options:

A home lab with nested ESXi on VMware Workstation or a capable server
Hands-on lab environments provided by your employer
VMware Hands-on Labs if a suitable vSphere 6.5 lab is available

For this exam, your lab does not need to be fancy. Two hosts and one vCenter instance will cover a lot. Shared storage simulation helps, but even without it you can still practice inventory, permissions, VM lifecycle, and much of networking.

How to use practice material correctly

Use the 95 Truekia questions as a validation layer, not as your primary source of truth. Pair every questionable item with the official docs. If a practice answer conflicts with product behavior you can verify in VMware documentation, trust the documentation.

What to watch for on exam day

VMware questions are often short, but the answer choices are close. Read for the exact object, feature, or prerequisite.

Tactics that help on this exam

Look for whether the question is asking about host, cluster, datastore, network, or VM scope.
Separate what a feature does from what is required to enable it.
If two answers both sound true, ask which one is more specific to vSphere 6.5 behavior.
Be careful with VMware terms that are similar:
- vMotion vs Storage vMotion
- VMware Tools vs virtual hardware version
- snapshot vs clone vs template
- VM port group vs VMkernel port
- shares vs reservations vs limits

Time management

Do not rush the first ten questions. VMware exams often settle into a pattern after you calibrate to the wording. If you hit a question about a feature you barely studied, mark it mentally, choose the best answer, and move on. The broader foundational questions usually provide enough points if your preparation was balanced.

Last-minute review list

In the final hour before the exam, review only these:

ESXi vs vCenter responsibilities
VM lifecycle operations
disk provisioning types
VMFS, NFS, and vSAN differences
standard switch components and VMkernel services
HA, DRS, vMotion, Storage vMotion prerequisites
reservations, limits, and shares
permissions inheritance

If you know those cleanly, you will recognize most of the exam.

The right way to pass vmware-2v0-602 is simple: learn the product boundaries, practice the common admin tasks, and memorize the prerequisites for mobility, storage, and cluster features. That is what VMware is really measuring.