Drag steps to the numbered slots on the right, or tap a step then tap a slot.
Steps
Order
1Step 1
2Step 2
3Step 3
4Step 4
5Step 5
6Step 6
CCNA Switching and Network Access Practice Question
Drag and drop the following steps into the correct order to configure an LACP EtherChannel on two Cisco switches using active mode.
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco exams often test the correct order of EtherChannel configuration: always create the port-channel interface first. Also, distinguish between LACP modes (active/passive) and PAgP modes (desirable/auto).
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
✓
Create the port-channel interface, configure its properties, then assign physical interfaces with channel-group active mode.
First create the logical port-channel interface and configure its properties, then assign physical interfaces to it using channel-group with active mode to initiate LACP negotiation.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Create the port-channel interface, configure its properties, then assign physical interfaces with channel-group active mode.
Why this is correct
The correct sequence is to first create the logical port-channel interface with the `interface port-channel X` command, then configure its desired properties such as switchport mode, allowed VLANs, or IP addressing. After that, physical interfaces are brought into the bundle using `channel-group X mode active`, which enables LACP to actively send negotiation frames. This order ensures the bundle inherits a consistent configuration and avoids defaults from an automatically created interface.
- ✗
Assign physical interfaces with channel-group active mode, then create the port-channel interface and configure its properties.
Why it's wrong here
Attempting to assign physical interfaces with `channel-group X mode active` before creating the port-channel interface will cause IOS to dynamically create a default Port-channel interface, but this auto-created interface may lack critical settings like trunk encapsulation or spanning-tree parameters. Configuring properties only after member assignment can lead to traffic disruption because the bundle comes up with mismatched or default settings. Best practice mandates pre-creating the logical interface and applying all desired parameters so that when physical links join, the EtherChannel is immediately stable.
- ✗
Configure physical interfaces with channel-group passive mode, then create the port-channel interface.
Why it's wrong here
Configuring physical interfaces with `channel-group X mode passive` is incorrect because LACP passive mode does not initiate negotiation; it only responds to received LACP PDUs, making it dependent on a remote active peer. The question specifically requires active mode, which sends LACP frames proactively to form the bundle. Additionally, the interfaces are assigned before the port-channel interface is created, violating the required order and risking the use of default port-channel properties.
- ✗
Create the port-channel interface, assign physical interfaces with channel-group desirable mode, then configure properties.
Why it's wrong here
The `channel-group X mode desirable` command is a PAgP mode, not an LACP mode, so it cannot be used when the requirement specifies LACP (IEEE 802.3ad). PAgP is a Cisco proprietary protocol, whereas LACP uses active/passive modes for negotiation. Furthermore, the sequence here assigns physical interfaces before configuring properties on the port-channel; the correct workflow is to define properties on the logical interface first, then add member links, ensuring the final bundle is configured as intended.
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.
✓Create the port-channel interface, configure its properties, then assign physical interfaces with channel-group active mode.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
The correct sequence is to first create the logical port-channel interface with the `interface port-channel X` command, then configure its desired properties such as switchport mode, allowed VLANs, or IP addressing. After that, physical interfaces are brought into the bundle using `channel-group X mode active`, which enables LACP to actively send negotiation frames. This order ensures the bundle inherits a consistent configuration and avoids defaults from an automatically created interface.
✗Assign physical interfaces with channel-group active mode, then create the port-channel interface and configure its properties.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The order is reversed; physical interfaces cannot be assigned to a non-existent port-channel interface.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think the physical interfaces are configured first because they are the actual ports, but the logical interface must be created first.
✗Configure physical interfaces with channel-group passive mode, then create the port-channel interface.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Passive mode is not active mode; it waits for the peer to initiate. Also, the port-channel interface must be created first.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse passive mode with active mode or think any channel-group mode works, but the question explicitly requires active mode.
✗Create the port-channel interface, assign physical interfaces with channel-group desirable mode, then configure properties.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Desirable mode is for PAgP, not LACP. LACP uses active or passive modes.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may mix up PAgP and LACP modes, as both have similar-sounding modes (desirable vs. active).
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?”
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Configuring Switch Ports for Desktops, VoIP Phones, APs, IoT, and Virtualized Hosts
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.
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.
About these practice questions
This 200-301 question is part of Courseiva's 1,389-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
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.