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Question 893 of 1,052
hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
CCNA Practice Question: Two switches are connected using four Gigabit…
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
SwitchA# 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(s) Gi0/3(s)Two switches are connected using four Gigabit Ethernet interfaces configured as an EtherChannel with LACP. The network administrator notices that only two of the four interfaces are active in the port-channel, and the other two are in a suspended state. The administrator checks the configuration and verifies that all interfaces are set to the same speed, duplex, and VLAN. What is the most likely cause of the suspended interfaces?
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
✓
The remote switch interfaces are configured with the 'on' mode instead of 'active' or 'passive' for LACP.
The 's' flag in the show etherchannel summary output indicates that interfaces Gi0/2 and Gi0/3 are suspended. In LACP, interfaces can become suspended if they are not configured with the same LACP system priority or if the partner switch is not configured correctly. The most common cause is that the interfaces on the remote switch are not configured with the same LACP mode (active or passive) or are in a different VLAN. In this case, the remote switch likely has those interfaces configured as 'channel-group 1 mode on' (static) instead of 'active' or 'passive', causing LACP negotiation to fail and the ports to suspend. Option B corrects this by setting the correct LACP mode. Option A is wrong because the ports are not in err-disabled; they are suspended. Option C is wrong because the issue is not with the port-channel interface itself but with the member interfaces. Option D is wrong because the ports are bundled in the port-channel but not active; the channel is up.
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.
- ✗
The interfaces are in err-disabled state due to a spanning-tree loop.
Why it's wrong here
The output shows 's' for suspended, not 'err-disabled'. Err-disabled would show 'D' or 'err-disabled' in the output.
- ✓
The remote switch interfaces are configured with the 'on' mode instead of 'active' or 'passive' for LACP.
Why this is correct
When one switch has LACP active/passive and the other has 'on' (static), LACP negotiation fails, and the ports become suspended. Changing the remote switch to 'active' or 'passive' allows LACP to negotiate and bundle the ports.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
- ✗
The port-channel interface is shutdown.
Why it's wrong here
If the port-channel interface were shutdown, all member interfaces would show 'D' (down) or 's' but the port-channel itself would show 'SD' or 'D'. The output shows Po1(SU), meaning the port-channel is up and in use.
- ✗
There is a mismatch in the allowed VLANs on the member interfaces.
Why it's wrong here
While VLAN mismatch can cause issues, it typically results in the interfaces being in a different state, such as 'D' or 'I', not 's'. Also, the scenario states VLANs are the same.
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.
✓The remote switch interfaces are configured with the 'on' mode instead of 'active' or 'passive' for LACP.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
When one switch has LACP active/passive and the other has 'on' (static), LACP negotiation fails, and the ports become suspended. Changing the remote switch to 'active' or 'passive' allows LACP to negotiate and bundle the ports.
✗The interfaces are in err-disabled state due to a spanning-tree loop.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The exhibit shows the ports as suspended, not err-disabled. Spanning-tree loops typically cause err-disable, not suspension.
✗The port-channel interface is shutdown.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The port-channel is up (U), so it is not shutdown.
✗There is a mismatch in the allowed VLANs on the member interfaces.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The scenario explicitly states that all interfaces are configured with the same VLAN, so this is not the cause.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The output shows 's' for suspended, not 'err-disabled'. Err-disabled would show 'D' or 'err-disabled' in the output.
Scenario analysis trap
While VLAN mismatch can cause issues, it typically results in the interfaces being in a different state, such as 'D' or 'I', not 's'. Also, the scenario states VLANs are the same.
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?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The remote switch interfaces are configured with the 'on' mode instead of 'active' or 'passive' for LACP. — The 's' flag in the show etherchannel summary output indicates that interfaces Gi0/2 and Gi0/3 are suspended. In LACP, interfaces can become suspended if they are not configured with the same LACP system priority or if the partner switch is not configured correctly. The most common cause is that the interfaces on the remote switch are not configured with the same LACP mode (active or passive) or are in a different VLAN. In this case, the remote switch likely has those interfaces configured as 'channel-group 1 mode on' (static) instead of 'active' or 'passive', causing LACP negotiation to fail and the ports to suspend. Option B corrects this by setting the correct LACP mode. Option A is wrong because the ports are not in err-disabled; they are suspended. Option C is wrong because the issue is not with the port-channel interface itself but with the member interfaces. Option D is wrong because the ports are bundled in the port-channel but not active; the channel is up.
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.
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?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
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