- A
Configure interface GigabitEthernet0/2 with 'speed 1000' and 'duplex full', then verify the EtherChannel is up.
This is correct because LACP requires all member ports to have identical speed and duplex settings. GigabitEthernet0/1 is already speed 1000 and duplex full, so correcting GigabitEthernet0/2 to match allows the EtherChannel to form.
- B
Configure interface GigabitEthernet0/1 with 'speed 100' and 'duplex half', then verify the EtherChannel is up.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because it would make both ports use speed 100 and duplex half, but GigabitEthernet0/1 is a GigabitEthernet interface that typically supports 1000 Mbps full duplex. Forcing it to 100/half would degrade performance and may not be supported, and it does not match the intended configuration.
- C
Configure interface GigabitEthernet0/2 with 'speed auto' and 'duplex auto', then verify the EtherChannel is up.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because setting speed and duplex to auto on GigabitEthernet0/2 may result in auto-negotiation settling on a different speed/duplex than the manually configured GigabitEthernet0/1 (speed 1000, duplex full). LACP requires all ports to have identical operational speed and duplex, so auto could cause a mismatch.
- D
Configure interface GigabitEthernet0/2 with 'channel-group 1 mode active' and 'switchport access vlan 100', then verify the EtherChannel is up.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because it only adds the interface to the EtherChannel and sets the VLAN, but does not address the speed/duplex mismatch. The EtherChannel will still fail to form due to mismatched parameters.
CCNA Switching and Network Access Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of switching and network access. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. 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.
You are connected to SW1. A LACP EtherChannel between SW1 and SW2 has already been configured using interfaces GigabitEthernet0/1 and GigabitEthernet0/2 with channel-group 1 mode active on both sides and assigned to VLAN 100. However, the channel is not forming because of a speed/duplex mismatch. The correct interface settings for this network are speed 1000 and duplex full. Interface GigabitEthernet0/1 is already configured with these settings. Only interface GigabitEthernet0/2 needs to be corrected. Identify the configuration change needed to resolve the mismatch and verify the EtherChannel is up with 'show etherchannel summary'.
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
Configure interface GigabitEthernet0/2 with 'speed 1000' and 'duplex full', then verify the EtherChannel is up.
The EtherChannel is not forming because GigabitEthernet0/2 is configured with speed 100 and duplex half, while GigabitEthernet0/1 is speed 1000 and duplex full. LACP requires all member ports to have identical speed and duplex settings. To fix this, configure GigabitEthernet0/2 with speed 1000 and duplex full, matching GigabitEthernet0/1. After correction, the ports should bundle in Port-channel1 and show as bundled (P) in 'show etherchannel summary'.
Key principle: A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both 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.
- ✓
Configure interface GigabitEthernet0/2 with 'speed 1000' and 'duplex full', then verify the EtherChannel is up.
Why this is correct
This is correct because LACP requires all member ports to have identical speed and duplex settings. GigabitEthernet0/1 is already speed 1000 and duplex full, so correcting GigabitEthernet0/2 to match allows the EtherChannel to form.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
- ✗
Configure interface GigabitEthernet0/1 with 'speed 100' and 'duplex half', then verify the EtherChannel is up.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because it would make both ports use speed 100 and duplex half, but GigabitEthernet0/1 is a GigabitEthernet interface that typically supports 1000 Mbps full duplex. Forcing it to 100/half would degrade performance and may not be supported, and it does not match the intended configuration.
- ✗
Configure interface GigabitEthernet0/2 with 'speed auto' and 'duplex auto', then verify the EtherChannel is up.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because setting speed and duplex to auto on GigabitEthernet0/2 may result in auto-negotiation settling on a different speed/duplex than the manually configured GigabitEthernet0/1 (speed 1000, duplex full). LACP requires all ports to have identical operational speed and duplex, so auto could cause a mismatch.
- ✗
Configure interface GigabitEthernet0/2 with 'channel-group 1 mode active' and 'switchport access vlan 100', then verify the EtherChannel is up.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because it only adds the interface to the EtherChannel and sets the VLAN, but does not address the speed/duplex mismatch. The EtherChannel will still fail to form due to mismatched parameters.
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.
✓Configure interface GigabitEthernet0/2 with 'speed 1000' and 'duplex full', then verify the EtherChannel is up.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because LACP requires all member ports to have identical speed and duplex settings. GigabitEthernet0/1 is already speed 1000 and duplex full, so correcting GigabitEthernet0/2 to match allows the EtherChannel to form.
✗Configure interface GigabitEthernet0/1 with 'speed 100' and 'duplex half', then verify the EtherChannel is up.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that the question implies the correct configuration should use speed 1000 and duplex full, not downgrade to 100/half. Also, LACP requires identical settings, but the goal is to match the higher speed.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think that making both ports match is sufficient, regardless of the speed/duplex values, but they overlook that the intended configuration is speed 1000/full.
✗Configure interface GigabitEthernet0/2 with 'speed auto' and 'duplex auto', then verify the EtherChannel is up.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that auto-negotiation does not guarantee matching settings when one side is manually configured. The mismatch would persist.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think 'auto' is a safe default that will negotiate correctly, but they forget that the other port is statically configured, leading to potential mismatch.
✗Configure interface GigabitEthernet0/2 with 'channel-group 1 mode active' and 'switchport access vlan 100', then verify the EtherChannel is up.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The specific factual error is that the question explicitly states a speed/duplex mismatch prevents the channel from forming, and this option does not correct that mismatch.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might focus on the LACP configuration and VLAN assignment, forgetting that speed/duplex consistency is a prerequisite for 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?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: an active trunk can still block the VLAN you need
A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VLAN questions usually combine access-port and trunking clues. The key is to identify whether the issue is local to one switchport, caused by the trunk, or caused by the VLAN not existing where it needs to exist.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
- Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches.
- Allowed VLAN lists decide which VLANs can cross a trunk.
- Native VLAN mismatch can create confusing symptoms.
TExam Day Tips
- Use show vlan brief to verify access VLANs.
- Use show interfaces trunk to verify trunk state and allowed VLANs.
- Do not treat every same-VLAN issue as a routing problem.
Key takeaway
A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 200-301 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Switching and Network Access — This question tests Switching and Network Access — Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure interface GigabitEthernet0/2 with 'speed 1000' and 'duplex full', then verify the EtherChannel is up. — The EtherChannel is not forming because GigabitEthernet0/2 is configured with speed 100 and duplex half, while GigabitEthernet0/1 is speed 1000 and duplex full. LACP requires all member ports to have identical speed and duplex settings. To fix this, configure GigabitEthernet0/2 with speed 1000 and duplex full, matching GigabitEthernet0/1. After correction, the ports should bundle in Port-channel1 and show as bundled (P) in 'show etherchannel summary'.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 200-301 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
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Last reviewed: Jun 6, 2026
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.
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