What is the primary benefit of using distributed switches in VMware environments?

The primary benefit of using distributed switches in VMware environments is centralized management of networking configurations. Distributed switches allow administrators to manage network settings for multiple hosts from a single interface. This streamlines the process of configuration and maintenance, as network policies (such as security settings, VLANs, and traffic shaping) can be applied consistently across all virtual machines within the distributed switch.

This centralized approach simplifies network administration tasks and reduces the likelihood of configuration errors, as changes made in one location automatically propagate to all associated hosts and virtual machines. It enhances operational efficiency and alignment of network resources in a scalable manner, particularly helpful in large environments where managing individual standard switches could be cumbersome.

In contrast, the other options relate to aspects that are not primarily associated with distributed switches. Enhanced graphics performance, improved storage I/O operations, and faster CPU allocation are influenced by different components and technologies within the VMware ecosystem but are not direct benefits of utilizing distributed switches specifically.