What is a Storage Virtual Machine alias and when would you use it?

• A. A Vserver alias (SVM alias) is an alternate name for an SVM used for DNS/NFS/SMB access or legacy compatibility.
• B. A Vserver alias is a false name used for testing.
• C. A Vserver alias is a password alias.
• D. A Vserver alias is a network switch name.

Answer: (A)

An alias for a Storage Virtual Machine is an alternate name that points to the same SVM, used so clients can access the SVM by a different DNS/NFS/SMB name. You’d use it when you need to preserve or provide a legacy or more DNS-friendly name for clients—for example, after renaming an SVM or when existing DNS records or client configurations expect a different hostname. The alias allows DNS resolution and client access to reach the same SVM and its services without changing the primary SVM name, exports, or access policies. It isn’t about testing, it isn’t a password alias, and it isn’t a network switch name.