What is the primary use of a distributed switch in vSphere?

The primary use of a distributed switch in vSphere is to provide a centralized way to manage network configurations for multiple ESXi hosts. A distributed switch allows network settings, such as VLANs, security policies, and traffic shaping, to be configured and applied across many hosts within a data center. This simplifies the management of networking in environments with numerous ESXi servers, since administrators can manage network configurations globally rather than having to configure each host individually. This centralization not only saves time but also reduces the likelihood of misconfigurations, streamlining the overall network management process.

In contrast, managing power settings for individual VMs is a function typically associated with the standard vSphere environment rather than a distributed switch. Similarly, distributing CPU resources among VMs is managed through vSphere's resource management capabilities but is not related to the networking functions provided by a distributed switch. Automated backups of virtual machines are handled by backup solutions and not by networking configurations, making it unrelated to the primary function of a distributed switch.