CCNA Switching and Network Access Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of switching and network access. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. A key principle to apply: etherChannel aggregates multiple physical links into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy between switches.. 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.
Exhibit
Corrective action applied:
- Both Gi0/1 and Gi0/2 on both switches now use trunk mode
- channel-group 1 mode active remains configured
Which command output would be the best next step to verify whether the port-channel is operational after configuration changes?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
show etherchannel summary
The best next step is to check EtherChannel status directly. In practical terms, after fixing the member-link configuration, the quickest verification is to inspect the summary output that shows whether the bundle exists and whether the member ports are actively participating. That is more direct than checking unrelated switching or routing tables.
This is a simulation-style 'what do you verify next' question, which is important for realistic CCNA prep.
Key principle: EtherChannel aggregates multiple physical links into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy between switches.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
show etherchannel summary
Why this is correct
This is correct because it directly verifies bundle status and member participation.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
EtherChannel aggregates multiple physical links into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy between switches.
✗
show ip ospf neighbor
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because OSPF adjacency does not verify EtherChannel formation.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where the question asks about verifying OSPF neighbor relationships after configuring OSPF on a router, 'show ip ospf neighbor' would be the correct command to check if OSPF is functioning properly and neighbors are established.
✗
show ip route
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because the routing table is not the primary verification for EtherChannel operation.
When this WOULD be correct
In a scenario where the question asks for verification of routing paths and connectivity issues, 'show ip route' would be the correct command to determine if routes are correctly established and if traffic can be forwarded through the configured interfaces.
✗
show access-lists
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because ACL output does not confirm port-channel health.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different exam scenario where the question asks about troubleshooting traffic filtering or security policies, 'show access-lists' would be the correct command to verify which traffic is permitted or denied based on configured access lists.
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.
✓show etherchannel summaryCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because it directly verifies bundle status and member participation.
✗show ip ospf neighborWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The command 'show ip ospf neighbor' is used to display OSPF neighbor relationships, which is not directly related to verifying the operational status of a port-channel. This command would not provide information about the port-channel configuration or status.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where the question asks about verifying OSPF neighbor relationships after configuring OSPF on a router, 'show ip ospf neighbor' would be the correct command to check if OSPF is functioning properly and neighbors are established.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option because they associate OSPF with network connectivity and assume that verifying OSPF neighbors could indirectly indicate the status of the port-channel, especially if they are not fully aware of the specific commands for EtherChannel verification.
✗show ip routeWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The command 'show ip route' is used to display the routing table of a device, which does not provide information about the operational status of a port-channel after configuration changes.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a scenario where the question asks for verification of routing paths and connectivity issues, 'show ip route' would be the correct command to determine if routes are correctly established and if traffic can be forwarded through the configured interfaces.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might choose this option because they associate port-channel functionality with routing, thinking that verifying the routing table could indirectly confirm connectivity through the port-channel.
✗show access-listsWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The command 'show access-lists' is not relevant for verifying the operational status of a port-channel; it focuses on access control lists rather than link aggregation status.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different exam scenario where the question asks about troubleshooting traffic filtering or security policies, 'show access-lists' would be the correct command to verify which traffic is permitted or denied based on configured access lists.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option because they associate access lists with traffic management and might mistakenly believe that verifying access lists is part of checking overall link functionality.
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
Avoid confusing general interface or trunk status with specific EtherChannel status. Always use the command that directly addresses the feature in question.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This is wrong because ACL output does not confirm port-channel health.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
EtherChannel is a Layer 2 technology that combines multiple physical Ethernet links into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy. This logical link, called a port-channel, appears as one interface to higher layers, simplifying management and improving fault tolerance. Cisco switches use protocols like PAgP or LACP to negotiate and maintain these bundles, ensuring all member links share the same configuration and operational parameters.
To verify EtherChannel operation after configuration changes, the 'show etherchannel summary' command is the most direct and efficient method. This command displays all port-channel groups, their protocol status, and the state of each member interface, indicating whether the bundle is up and functional. It helps confirm that the physical links are correctly bundled and that the negotiation protocol succeeded, which is critical before moving on to Layer 3 or routing verification.
A common exam trap is to confuse Layer 2 EtherChannel verification with Layer 3 routing or protocol status checks, such as using 'show ip ospf neighbor' or 'show ip route'. These commands do not reflect the health or status of the EtherChannel bundle itself. Similarly, 'show access-lists' is unrelated to link bundling and will not provide useful information about port-channel status. Understanding the separation between Layer 2 link aggregation and Layer 3 routing protocols is essential for accurate troubleshooting and exam success.
KKey Concepts to Remember
EtherChannel aggregates multiple physical links into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy between switches.
The 'show etherchannel summary' command displays the status of EtherChannel groups and their member interfaces, indicating operational status and protocol negotiation.
OSPF neighbor information does not verify EtherChannel operation because OSPF adjacency depends on Layer 3 routing protocol exchanges, not Layer 2 link bundling.
Routing tables reflect Layer 3 path information and do not provide direct insight into the status of Layer 2 EtherChannel bundles.
Access Control Lists (ACLs) filter traffic but do not provide any status or health information about EtherChannel interfaces or their member links.
After configuration changes to EtherChannel, verifying the bundle status with 'show etherchannel summary' quickly confirms if member ports are bundled and active.
EtherChannel protocols like PAgP or LACP negotiate link bundling; the summary output shows if negotiation succeeded and which ports participate.
Misinterpreting unrelated commands like 'show ip ospf neighbor' or 'show access-lists' wastes time and can lead to incorrect troubleshooting conclusions.
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
EtherChannel aggregates multiple physical links into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy between switches.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer at a university connects two campus buildings via a fibre link. Both routers run OSPF, but no adjacency forms — even though both routers can ping each other. The engineer finds one router is in area 0 and the other in area 1. OSPF adjacency requires matching area numbers, hello/dead timers, and network type. IP reachability alone is not enough.
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 etherChannel aggregates multiple physical links into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy between switches., 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 — EtherChannel aggregates multiple physical links into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy between switches..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: show etherchannel summary — The best next step is to check EtherChannel status directly. In practical terms, after fixing the member-link configuration, the quickest verification is to inspect the summary output that shows whether the bundle exists and whether the member ports are actively participating. That is more direct than checking unrelated switching or routing tables.
This is a simulation-style 'what do you verify next' question, which is important for realistic CCNA prep.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review etherChannel aggregates multiple physical links into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy between switches., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best", "which command". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
EtherChannel aggregates multiple physical links into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy between switches.
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