Which vSphere DRS Automation Level ensures that virtual machines both have their placement performed automatically and migration recommendations are displayed but not applied?

The correct choice is the one that indicates a balance between automated management and user oversight. In this scenario, the selected automation level ensures that while the placement of virtual machines is done automatically by vSphere Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS), it also provides migration recommendations without enforcing them automatically. This strikes a balance that allows administrators to receive guidance on optimal VM resource allocation without losing control over actual migrations.

This is particularly useful in environments where an administrator prefers to review the suggested actions before they are applied, allowing for human intervention based on situational awareness or specific performance criteria. The automated placement optimizes resource utilization dynamically based on demand but the administrator maintains the authority to decide whether to execute the migration recommendations, thus preventing any potential disruptions that might arise from automatic actions in sensitive workloads.

In contrast, the other options either provide no automation or require fully automated actions without any recommendations, limiting flexibility and oversight for the administrator. This makes the selected option a pragmatic choice for managing resources effectively while allowing room for administrative discretion.