What is the default encrypted vSphere vMotion state for virtual machines that are not encrypted?

The default encrypted vSphere vMotion state for virtual machines that are not encrypted is opportunistic. This means that while encrypted vMotion is available as a feature, it is not automatically applied to every vMotion operation by default. Instead, when the setting is set to opportunistic, vSphere will use encrypted vMotion if both the source and destination hosts support the feature, and the VM itself can benefit from encryption. If any of these conditions are not met, vMotion will proceed without encryption.

Understanding this setting is key for administrators who want to ensure data security during migrations while maintaining operational efficiency. The opportunistic designation allows vSphere to utilize the best available security standards wherever possible without imposing overhead on all vMotion tasks, which could potentially affect performance.

In contrast, the other potential states for encrypted vMotion have specific implications. If it were set to disabled, vMotion encryption would not be used at all, regardless of the capabilities of the hosts. If it were required, every vMotion operation would need to be encrypted, which could limit functionality with older or incompatible hardware. If it were enabled, it would suggest a default state of active encryption, which would not suit environments where not all virtual machines are encrypted. By default, opting for an opportun