What does vSphere Update Manager (VUM) allow administrators to do?

vSphere Update Manager (VUM) is a critical tool within the VMware ecosystem that streamlines the process of managing updates and patches for ESXi hosts. By applying updates and patches across multiple hosts efficiently, VUM enhances the security, stability, and performance of the virtual environments. It allows administrators to automate the patching process, schedule updates during maintenance windows, and ensure compliance with best practices.

This capability significantly reduces manual effort and potential human error, as it can analyze and report on the current state of patches across hosts, identify which ones are missing, and apply them systematically. This centralized approach ensures that all ESXi hosts stay up to date with the latest features and security enhancements without requiring individual attention for each host.

The other options, while relevant to broader IT administration, do not align with the core functionalities of VUM. Monitoring network traffic, managing user permissions, and automatically backing up virtual machines are achieved through other VMware tools and functionalities, each serving distinct purposes in the management of virtualized infrastructure.