What function does the Authentication Proxy serve in vCenter?

The Authentication Proxy plays a crucial role in vCenter by allowing hosts to securely join an Active Directory (AD) domain. This function is vital for integrating virtual infrastructure with existing enterprise authentication systems, enabling centralized user management and control. By leveraging the Authentication Proxy, organizations can ensure that only authenticated and authorized users are able to access resources within the vSphere environment, enhancing security and simplifying the management of user identities. This capability also facilitates single sign-on (SSO) and helps maintain compliance with organizational security policies.

Other options do not align with the primary purpose of the Authentication Proxy; for instance, seamless VM migrations are primarily accomplished through vMotion technology, while resource allocation is managed by DRS (Distributed Resource Scheduler). Backup services for VMs, on the other hand, involve separate solutions that do not pertain directly to the Authentication Proxy's function within vCenter.