CCNA Switching and Network Access Practice Question
A two-switch EtherChannel bundle is configured with LACP. One side uses active mode on both member links, while the other side uses passive mode on both member links. What is the result?
⚠ Common exam trap
Ensure you know that LACP only needs one side in active mode to form a channel; both sides in passive mode would fail.
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
✓
The bundle forms successfully
LACP forms a channel when at least one side actively sends negotiation frames. Active-to-passive works. Passive-to-passive would fail, but that is not the case here.
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 bundle forms successfully
Why this is correct
An LACP EtherChannel bundle forms successfully when at least one side is configured in active mode. In this scenario, the active-mode switch will proactively send LACP PDUs to initiate negotiation. The passive-mode switch, while not initiating, will listen for and respond to these incoming PDUs. This mutual exchange of LACP information satisfies the protocol's requirements for link aggregation, allowing the bundle to establish and operate correctly.
- ✗
The links remain individual because both sides must use active
Why it's wrong here
This option is incorrect because LACP does not require both switches to be in active mode; it only requires at least one side to be active and the other to be active or passive. In this scenario, the switch configured with LACP active will proactively transmit LACP PDUs, and the passive switch will respond to those PDUs, completing the negotiation and forming the bundle. If both sides were passive, no negotiation would occur, but that is not the case here, so the links will bundle successfully despite the passive side.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where a question specifies that both switches must be configured in active mode for LACP to function, this option would be correct. For example, if the question stated that both ends must use active mode for a successful EtherChannel formation, then this option would apply.
- ✗
The bundle forms only if PAgP is also enabled
Why it's wrong here
This option is incorrect because PAgP and LACP are mutually exclusive link aggregation protocols and cannot coexist on the same port. PAgP is a Cisco proprietary protocol, while LACP is the IEEE 802.3ad standard, and a port configured for LACP will not send or accept PAgP PDUs. For the bundle to form, at least one side must be in LACP active mode; enabling PAgP would not help—it would actually prevent LACP negotiation because the port cannot run both protocols simultaneously, so the bundle would not depend on PAgP at all.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where the question specifies that both switches are configured with PAgP and the exam asks about compatibility with LACP, this option would be correct. If the question states that PAgP must be enabled for any channel to form, then this option would apply.
- ✗
The channel comes up but forwards only one VLAN
Why it's wrong here
This option is incorrect because LACP's successful negotiation does not restrict forwarding to a single VLAN. When an EtherChannel is formed, it operates as a single logical link, and any VLANs permitted on the port-channel interface are forwarded across the bundle using the configured load-balancing algorithm, which distributes frames across all member links. If only one VLAN were forwarded, the cause would stem from VLAN filtering or pruning configuration, not from the LACP negotiation itself, so the bundle would not inherently limit traffic to one VLAN.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct in a scenario where a switch is configured to use a static EtherChannel without LACP, and only one VLAN is allowed due to misconfiguration or limitations in the switch's capabilities, causing it to forward traffic for only that VLAN.
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.
✓The bundle forms successfullyCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
An LACP EtherChannel bundle forms successfully when at least one side is configured in active mode. In this scenario, the active-mode switch will proactively send LACP PDUs to initiate negotiation. The passive-mode switch, while not initiating, will listen for and respond to these incoming PDUs. This mutual exchange of LACP information satisfies the protocol's requirements for link aggregation, allowing the bundle to establish and operate correctly.
✗The links remain individual because both sides must use activeWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
LACP does not require both sides to be in active mode; active/passive is a valid combination. The passive side will respond to LACP packets from the active side, forming the bundle.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where a question specifies that both switches must be configured in active mode for LACP to function, this option would be correct. For example, if the question stated that both ends must use active mode for a successful EtherChannel formation, then this option would apply.
Why candidates choose this
Students often confuse LACP modes with PAgP modes, where PAgP requires at least one side to be in desirable mode. They may incorrectly assume both sides must be active for LACP.
✗The bundle forms only if PAgP is also enabledWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
PAgP is a Cisco proprietary protocol and is not required for LACP. LACP and PAgP are independent; enabling PAgP does not affect LACP negotiation.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where the question specifies that both switches are configured with PAgP and the exam asks about compatibility with LACP, this option would be correct. If the question states that PAgP must be enabled for any channel to form, then this option would apply.
Why candidates choose this
Test-takers may think that both protocols must be enabled for compatibility, but LACP and PAgP are separate and cannot be mixed on the same bundle.
✗The channel comes up but forwards only one VLANWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
EtherChannel, once formed, forwards all VLANs allowed on the trunk or access ports. There is no mechanism in LACP that restricts the bundle to a single VLAN.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct in a scenario where a switch is configured to use a static EtherChannel without LACP, and only one VLAN is allowed due to misconfiguration or limitations in the switch's capabilities, causing it to forward traffic for only that VLAN.
Why candidates choose this
This distractor plays on confusion with VLAN filtering or the concept of 'one VLAN' from other features like VTP pruning or port security, but it is not related to EtherChannel formation.
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?”
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Key term
LACP
LACP is a protocol that automatically combines multiple physical network links into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy.
Key term
Link Aggregation Control Protocol
Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) is a standard protocol that automatically bundles multiple physical network links into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-301 exam.