Question 1,036 of 1,389
CCNA Switching and Network Access Practice Question
A network engineer checks EtherChannel status on a switch and sees the following output:
Group Port-channel Protocol Ports ------+-------------+---------+----------------------------- 1 Po1(SD) LACP Gi1/0/1(s) Gi1/0/2(I)
What is the most likely reason the EtherChannel is not forwarding traffic?
⚠ Common exam trap
Avoid assuming the problem is due to physical layer issues like speed or duplex when the output suggests a configuration mismatch.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
At least one member interface is not bundled correctly, so the logical channel is down
The safest conclusion from this output is that the member interfaces are not successfully participating in the bundle, so the logical port-channel is down. Cisco exam questions often test whether you can read the status flags without overcommitting to a very specific root cause that the exhibit does not explicitly prove. One member is suspended and another is not bundled into the channel correctly, so the EtherChannel never reaches a healthy forwarding state. In the real world, that can happen because of trunk mismatches, allowed VLAN mismatches, native VLAN problems, inconsistent channel-group settings, or negotiation issues. The key exam skill is recognizing that the bundle itself failed, not guessing one hidden configuration line that is not shown.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The member interfaces have mismatched speed or duplex settings
Why it's wrong here
Speed or duplex mismatches can definitely break an EtherChannel, which makes this option tempting. The problem is that the exhibit does not specifically prove that speed or duplex is the issue. It only proves that the links are not bundling correctly. On exam-style questions, choose the conclusion directly supported by the output before jumping to one of several possible hidden causes.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario, if a question presented an EtherChannel configuration where the interfaces were explicitly set to different speeds or duplex modes, leading to a negotiation failure, this option would be correct. For example, if the question stated that Gi1/0/1 was set to 100Mbps full duplex and Gi1/0/2 was set to 1Gbps half duplex, it would lead to a mismatch.
- ✗
The port channel is Layer 3 instead of Layer 2
Why it's wrong here
A Layer 3 port-channel can work perfectly well when intentionally configured that way, so the phrase 'Layer 3' does not explain the failure on its own. The real problem shown here is that the member interfaces are not joining the logical channel correctly. The status flags point to a bundle formation problem, not simply to the channel being Layer 3 or Layer 2.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario, if a question specifies that an EtherChannel is configured as Layer 3 and the interfaces are expected to be Layer 2, then selecting this option would be correct. For example, if the question states that the EtherChannel is not forwarding traffic due to incorrect Layer 3 configuration, this option would apply.
- ✓
At least one member interface is not bundled correctly, so the logical channel is down
Why this is correct
Correct. This is correct. The logical EtherChannel is down because the physical members are not properly bundled. The status display is telling you that the switch did not build a working aggregated link, so the port-channel cannot carry traffic as intended.
- ✗
LACP requires exactly four links to form a bundle
Why it's wrong here
LACP does not require four links. Two-link EtherChannels are extremely common, and LACP can negotiate bundles with fewer than four member interfaces. The issue is not link count. The issue is that the displayed interfaces are not in a healthy bundled state.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question, if it specified that an EtherChannel configuration must have exactly four links to be valid, and the output showed only two links, then this option would be correct. For instance, a question could state that a network engineer is troubleshooting a configuration that mandates four links for LACP to function properly.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 200-301 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓At least one member interface is not bundled correctly, so the logical channel is downCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
Correct. This is correct. The logical EtherChannel is down because the physical members are not properly bundled. The status display is telling you that the switch did not build a working aggregated link, so the port-channel cannot carry traffic as intended.
✗The member interfaces have mismatched speed or duplex settingsWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The output shows individual port statuses (s) and (I), which indicate LACP negotiation states, not speed/duplex mismatches. While speed/duplex mismatches can cause EtherChannel issues, the specific flags in the exhibit point to a bundling problem, not a mismatch.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario, if a question presented an EtherChannel configuration where the interfaces were explicitly set to different speeds or duplex modes, leading to a negotiation failure, this option would be correct. For example, if the question stated that Gi1/0/1 was set to 100Mbps full duplex and Gi1/0/2 was set to 1Gbps half duplex, it would lead to a mismatch.
Why candidates choose this
Students often associate EtherChannel failures with speed/duplex mismatches because that is a common cause in general networking. However, the output here provides direct evidence of LACP negotiation issues, making this option a guess rather than a conclusion supported by the exhibit.
✗The port channel is Layer 3 instead of Layer 2Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A Layer 3 port-channel can function correctly if configured properly. The output does not indicate any Layer 2 vs Layer 3 mismatch; the problem is that the member interfaces are not successfully bundling into the logical channel, as shown by the (s) and (I) status flags.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario, if a question specifies that an EtherChannel is configured as Layer 3 and the interfaces are expected to be Layer 2, then selecting this option would be correct. For example, if the question states that the EtherChannel is not forwarding traffic due to incorrect Layer 3 configuration, this option would apply.
Why candidates choose this
Test-takers may confuse the 'SD' (shutdown) state of the port-channel with a Layer 3 misconfiguration, but 'SD' simply means the logical interface is down due to member issues, not because of the layer at which it operates.
✗LACP requires exactly four links to form a bundleWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
LACP does not require exactly four links; it can form bundles with 2 to 8 active links (and up to 16 total with standby). The exhibit shows only two member ports, which is perfectly valid for an EtherChannel.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question, if it specified that an EtherChannel configuration must have exactly four links to be valid, and the output showed only two links, then this option would be correct. For instance, a question could state that a network engineer is troubleshooting a configuration that mandates four links for LACP to function properly.
Why candidates choose this
Some students might recall that LACP has a maximum of 8 active links and mistakenly think a minimum of 4 is required, but no such minimum exists. The confusion may arise from the fact that many real-world designs use 4 links for load balancing, but that is not a protocol requirement.
Analysis generated from the official 200-301blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Visual reference
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Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
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