CCNA Switching and Network Access Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of switching and network access. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Drag and drop the EtherChannel commands and concepts on the left to the correct descriptions on the right.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
active
EtherChannel modes: active/passive for LACP, desirable/auto for PAgP, on for static, and interface port-channel creates the logical interface.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
active
Why this is correct
This is correct because 'active' is the LACP mode that initiates negotiations with the other side to form an EtherChannel.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
desirable
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because 'desirable' is a PAgP mode, not an LACP mode.
✗
auto
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because 'auto' is a PAgP mode that passively waits for negotiation, not an LACP mode.
✗
on
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because 'on' is the static EtherChannel mode that forces the link into a channel without negotiation, not an LACP mode.
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.
✓activeCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because 'active' is the LACP mode that initiates negotiations with the other side to form an EtherChannel.
✗desirableWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Confuses PAgP and LACP terminology.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates often mix up PAgP and LACP modes because both have similar negotiation concepts.
✗autoWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Misidentifies a PAgP mode as an LACP mode.
Why candidates choose this
The word 'auto' sounds like it could be an LACP mode, but it belongs to PAgP.
✗onWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Confuses static mode with dynamic LACP modes.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think 'on' is a valid LACP mode because it is a common EtherChannel mode.
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
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 200-301 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 200-301 question in full detail.
Identify which 200-301 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Switching and Network Access — This question tests Switching and Network Access — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: active — EtherChannel modes: active/passive for LACP, desirable/auto for PAgP, on for static, and interface port-channel creates the logical interface.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which 200-301 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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