What must vSwitches be connected to in order to communicate with the external network?

The correct choice emphasizes the necessity of connecting vSwitches to ESXi physical NICs (Network Interface Cards) for external network communication. This is vital because virtual switches, or vSwitches, are software-based switches that facilitate network communication for virtual machines and other system components within the VMware infrastructure.

When a vSwitch is connected to a physical NIC, it allows virtual machines and other network traffic within the vSwitch to be routed out to the external network. Essentially, the physical NIC acts as the bridge between the virtual network created by the vSwitch and the physical network infrastructure that provides internet or intranet connectivity.

This connection enables essential functionalities, such as accessing remote systems, connecting to external services, and reaching other devices on the network. Without a link to a physical NIC, the vSwitch would be isolated, limiting its utility to internal virtual communications and preventing virtual machines from reaching outside networks.

Other options, such as VMkernel interfaces and distributed switches, serve specific purposes but do not directly facilitate the communication needed for the vSwitch to reach the external network. VMkernel interfaces relate to specific services like NFS or iSCSI, while distributed switches provide a more advanced multi-host networking capability, but again, they rely on physical NICs for