CCNA Switching and Network Access Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of switching and network access. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: lACP active mode causes a device to actively send negotiation packets to form an EtherChannel bundle.. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
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 the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The EtherChannel should form if the other interface settings are compatible.
The EtherChannel should form successfully if the underlying link settings are compatible. LACP active/active is a valid combination, as both switches actively negotiate the bundle. However, the channel does not automatically become a routed interface (option C is incorrect because EtherChannel can operate as Layer 2 or Layer 3 depending on configuration, not automatically due to LACP mode). Additionally, VLAN tags are not removed by default from the bundle (option D is incorrect; VLAN tagging is preserved based on the switchport mode and allowed VLAN settings). The key troubleshooting point is to ensure that other interface parameters such as speed, duplex, and VLAN settings match across the member ports.
Key principle: LACP active mode causes a device to actively send negotiation packets to form an EtherChannel bundle.
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 EtherChannel should form if the other interface settings are compatible.
Why this is correct
This is correct because active/active is a valid LACP negotiation pairing.
Related concept
LACP active mode causes a device to actively send negotiation packets to form an EtherChannel bundle.
✗
The channel fails because both sides must be passive.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because passive/passive is the pairing that normally fails to initiate LACP.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario, if the question stated that both sides were configured for LACP passive, then this option would be correct. The question would need to specify that both switches cannot negotiate the EtherChannel actively, thus requiring one side to be passive for the channel to form.
✗
The channel becomes a routed interface automatically.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because LACP does not automatically convert the bundle into a Layer 3 interface.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where the question states that the EtherChannel is configured with 'no switchport' command on both ends, indicating that the interfaces are intended to be routed, this option would be correct as the interfaces would indeed become routed interfaces.
✗
All VLAN tags are removed from the bundle by default.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because EtherChannel formation does not inherently remove VLAN tags.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question, if it asked about a specific configuration where the EtherChannel is set up to operate in a mode that strips VLAN tags, such as when using a specific type of trunking protocol that does not support VLANs, this option would be correct.
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 EtherChannel should form if the other interface settings are compatible.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because active/active is a valid LACP negotiation pairing.
✗The channel fails because both sides must be passive.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
LACP passive/passive is the pairing that fails to form an EtherChannel because both sides wait for the other to initiate negotiation, resulting in no LACP PDUs being sent. Active/active is a valid and functional combination.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario, if the question stated that both sides were configured for LACP passive, then this option would be correct. The question would need to specify that both switches cannot negotiate the EtherChannel actively, thus requiring one side to be passive for the channel to form.
Why candidates choose this
Students may confuse LACP modes with PAgP, where desirable/desirable is needed, or mistakenly think that both sides must be passive for compatibility.
✗The channel becomes a routed interface automatically.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
LACP operates at Layer 2 and does not change the interface type; the EtherChannel remains a Layer 2 port-channel unless explicitly configured with 'no switchport' or an IP address. The question does not mention any Layer 3 configuration.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where the question states that the EtherChannel is configured with 'no switchport' command on both ends, indicating that the interfaces are intended to be routed, this option would be correct as the interfaces would indeed become routed interfaces.
Why candidates choose this
Some might think that bundling links automatically creates a routed interface, confusing EtherChannel with features like routed ports or SVI.
✗All VLAN tags are removed from the bundle by default.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
EtherChannel formation does not alter VLAN tagging; if the interfaces are trunk ports, VLAN tags remain intact. The bundle simply aggregates bandwidth while preserving existing VLAN configurations.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question, if it asked about a specific configuration where the EtherChannel is set up to operate in a mode that strips VLAN tags, such as when using a specific type of trunking protocol that does not support VLANs, this option would be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Test-takers might incorrectly assume that bundling strips VLAN information, perhaps confusing EtherChannel with features like VLAN pruning or access port behavior.
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?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Don't confuse LACP active/active with incompatible settings; they are designed to negotiate successfully.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
Key takeaway
LACP active mode causes a device to actively send negotiation packets to form an EtherChannel bundle.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 200-301 question in full detail.
Review lACP active mode causes a device to actively send negotiation packets to form an EtherChannel bundle., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Switching and Network Access — This question tests Switching and Network Access — 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. LACP active/active is a valid combination, as both switches actively negotiate the bundle. However, the channel does not automatically become a routed interface (option C is incorrect because EtherChannel can operate as Layer 2 or Layer 3 depending on configuration, not automatically due to LACP mode). Additionally, VLAN tags are not removed by default from the bundle (option D is incorrect; VLAN tagging is preserved based on the switchport mode and allowed VLAN settings). The key troubleshooting point is to ensure that other interface parameters such as speed, duplex, and VLAN settings match across the member ports.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review lACP active mode causes a device to actively send negotiation packets to form an EtherChannel bundle., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
LACP active mode causes a device to actively send negotiation packets to form an EtherChannel bundle.
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