Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
An EtherChannel should form using LACP between two switches. One side is configured for LACP active, and the other side is configured for LACP active. What is the expected result if the other link settings also match?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Best answer
The EtherChannel should form if the other interface settings are compatible.
This is correct because active/active is a valid LACP negotiation pairing.
B
Distractor review
The channel fails because both sides must be passive.
This is wrong because passive/passive is the pairing that normally fails to initiate LACP.
C
Distractor review
The channel becomes a routed interface automatically.
This is wrong because LACP does not automatically convert the bundle into a Layer 3 interface.
D
Distractor review
All VLAN tags are removed from the bundle by default.
This is wrong because EtherChannel formation does not inherently remove VLAN tags.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common exam trap is believing that both sides of an LACP EtherChannel must be set to passive mode to form a channel. In fact, passive/passive mode results in no negotiation because neither side initiates LACP packets, causing the channel to fail. Another tempting mistake is assuming active/active mode causes conflicts or failures, but active/active is the correct and recommended pairing for dynamic negotiation. Misunderstanding these modes can lead to incorrect troubleshooting steps and exam errors.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
EtherChannel is a technology that bundles multiple physical Ethernet links into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy. Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) is a dynamic protocol used to negotiate and form EtherChannel bundles between switches. LACP operates in two modes: active and passive. Active mode means the device actively initiates negotiation by sending LACP packets, while passive mode means the device only responds to LACP packets but does not initiate them. When both sides of a link are configured as LACP active, both switches actively send LACP negotiation packets to each other. This active/active pairing is fully compatible and allows the EtherChannel to form successfully, provided other interface parameters such as speed, duplex, VLAN membership, and switchport mode match. The negotiation ensures that only compatible links are bundled, preventing misconfigurations and loops. A common exam trap is confusing the LACP modes and assuming that both sides must be passive or that active/active causes failure. In reality, passive/passive mode results in no negotiation because neither side initiates LACP packets, causing the channel not to form. Active/active is a valid and recommended configuration for dynamic EtherChannel formation. Understanding this distinction is critical for troubleshooting EtherChannel issues and ensuring proper link aggregation in Cisco networks.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- LACP active mode causes a device to actively send negotiation packets to form an EtherChannel bundle.
- An EtherChannel forms successfully when both sides are configured as LACP active and other interface settings match.
- Passive LACP mode only responds to negotiation packets but does not initiate them, requiring an active partner to form a channel.
- EtherChannel requires matching interface parameters such as speed, duplex, VLAN membership, and switchport mode to form correctly.
- LACP prevents bundling incompatible links by negotiating link parameters before forming the EtherChannel.
- Active/active LACP mode pairing is a valid and common configuration for dynamic EtherChannel formation in Cisco networks.
- Passive/passive LACP mode pairing fails to form an EtherChannel because neither side initiates negotiation.
- EtherChannel does not automatically convert bundled interfaces into routed Layer 3 interfaces; it remains a Layer 2 bundle unless explicitly configured.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A router learns the same prefix from both OSPF and EIGRP. Which route is installed by default?
Question 2
A router shows this output: R1#show ip ospf neighbor Neighbor ID Pri State Dead Time Address Interface 10.1.1.2 1 FULL/DR 00:00:34 192.168.12.2 GigabitEthernet0/0 10.1.1.3 1 2WAY/DROTHER 00:00:39 192.168.12.3 GigabitEthernet0/0 Which statement is correct?
Question 3
What is the OSPF metric called?
Question 4
A non-root switch has two uplinks toward the root bridge. One path has a lower total STP cost than the other. What role will the lower-cost uplink have?
Question 5
A router interface applies this ACL inbound: 10 deny tcp any any eq 80 20 permit ip any any A user reports that web browsing to a server by IP address fails, but ping works. Which statement best explains the behavior?
Question 6
A router learns route 198.51.100.0/24 from OSPF with AD 110 and also has a static route to the same prefix configured with AD 150. Which route is installed?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
LACP active mode causes a device to actively send negotiation packets to form an EtherChannel bundle.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The EtherChannel should form if the other interface settings are compatible. — The EtherChannel should form successfully if the underlying link settings are compatible. In plain language, active mode on both sides means both switches are willing to actively negotiate the LACP bundle. That is a perfectly valid pairing. As long as the ports agree on key characteristics such as switchport mode, allowed VLANs where relevant, and speed/duplex compatibility, the bundle should come up. This is a useful question because it reinforces that LACP active/active is a normal working combination. The challenge in EtherChannel troubleshooting is often not the negotiation mode itself but a hidden mismatch elsewhere in the interface settings.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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