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Question 207 of 1,052
hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
CCNA Practice Question: An engineer has configured EtherChannel between…
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of 200-301 exam topics. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Exhibit
SW1# show etherchannel summary
Flags: D - down P - bundled in port-channel
I - stand-alone s - suspended
H - Hot-standby (LACP only)
R - Layer3 S - Layer2
U - in use N - not in use, no aggregation
f - failed to allocate aggregator
M - not in use, minimum links not met
u - unsuitable for bundling
w - waiting to be aggregated
d - default port
Number of channel-groups in use: 1
Number of aggregators: 1
Group Port-channel Protocol Ports
------+-------------+-----------+-----------------------------------------------
1 Po1(SU) LACP Gi0/0(P) Gi0/1(P) Gi0/2(I) Gi0/3(P)An engineer has configured EtherChannel between two Cisco switches, SW1 and SW2, using LACP. The hosts connected to SW1 report intermittent connectivity to hosts on SW2. The engineer checks the EtherChannel status on SW1 and sees the following output. What is the most likely cause of the intermittent connectivity?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
✓
Interface Gi0/2 is not configured with LACP on the neighbor switch, causing it to be in stand-alone mode.
The correct answer is B. The show etherchannel summary output shows that Gi0/2 is in 'I' (stand-alone) mode, meaning it is not bundled into the PortChannel. This is because LACP was not configured on the corresponding interface of the neighbor switch for Gi0/2, causing that link to operate independently and not participate in the EtherChannel. This leads to a loop or suboptimal traffic flow, causing intermittent connectivity. The other options are incorrect because the PortChannel is active (SU), LACP is configured on SW1, and the issue is not related to spanning-tree or duplex mismatch.
Key principle: OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
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 PortChannel is in a suspended state due to a configuration mismatch.
Why it's wrong here
The PortChannel status shows Po1(SU), meaning it is up and in use, not suspended.
- ✓
Interface Gi0/2 is not configured with LACP on the neighbor switch, causing it to be in stand-alone mode.
Why this is correct
The 'I' flag indicates the port is in stand-alone mode, not bundled. This is typically because the neighbor port is not running LACP, or there is a mismatch in LACP configuration.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
- ✗
The EtherChannel is not active because the minimum number of links is not met.
Why it's wrong here
The output shows three ports are bundled (P), so the minimum links requirement is satisfied. The 'M' flag (minimum links not met) is not present.
- ✗
There is a duplex mismatch on interface Gi0/2.
Why it's wrong here
A duplex mismatch would typically cause the interface to be in an error-disabled state or show CRC errors, not a stand-alone flag in EtherChannel.
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.
✓Interface Gi0/2 is not configured with LACP on the neighbor switch, causing it to be in stand-alone mode.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
The 'I' flag indicates the port is in stand-alone mode, not bundled. This is typically because the neighbor port is not running LACP, or there is a mismatch in LACP configuration.
✗The PortChannel is in a suspended state due to a configuration mismatch.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Suspended ports would show 's' flag, not 'P' or 'I'.
✗The EtherChannel is not active because the minimum number of links is not met.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The channel is active (SU) with multiple links bundled.
✗There is a duplex mismatch on interface Gi0/2.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The output does not indicate any error-disabled or duplex mismatch symptoms; the port is simply not bundled.
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: OSPF can fail even when IP connectivity looks correct
OSPF neighbour formation depends on matching areas, timers, network type, authentication and passive-interface behaviour. Do not choose an answer only because the devices can ping.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The PortChannel status shows Po1(SU), meaning it is up and in use, not suspended.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OSPF questions usually test the details that control adjacency and route selection. Read the neighbour state, area, router ID and interface configuration before deciding what is wrong.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
- Router ID selection can affect neighbour relationships and LSDB output.
- OSPF cost influences the preferred path.
- A route can appear in OSPF information but not become the installed route.
TExam Day Tips
- Check area mismatch first when OSPF adjacency fails.
- Review passive interfaces when a network is advertised but no neighbour forms.
- Use show ip ospf neighbor and show ip route clues carefully.
Key takeaway
OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 200-301 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Interface Gi0/2 is not configured with LACP on the neighbor switch, causing it to be in stand-alone mode. — The correct answer is B. The show etherchannel summary output shows that Gi0/2 is in 'I' (stand-alone) mode, meaning it is not bundled into the PortChannel. This is because LACP was not configured on the corresponding interface of the neighbor switch for Gi0/2, causing that link to operate independently and not participate in the EtherChannel. This leads to a loop or suboptimal traffic flow, causing intermittent connectivity. The other options are incorrect because the PortChannel is active (SU), LACP is configured on SW1, and the issue is not related to spanning-tree or duplex mismatch.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 200-301 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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