CCNA Switching and Network Access Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of switching and network access. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. A key principle to apply: etherChannel bundles multiple physical links into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy between switches.. 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: interface range g1/0/1-2
channel-group 1 mode active
SW2: interface range g1/0/1-2
channel-group 1 mode on
Exhibit: SW1 is configured for EtherChannel with LACP, but the bundle does not form. What is the most likely cause?
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 the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
One side is using LACP and the other side is using a static EtherChannel mode
For an LACPEtherChannel to form, both sides must negotiate with LACP using active or passive mode. One side here is set to channel-group mode on, which creates a static channel and does not speak LACP. That mismatch prevents the bundle from forming.
Key principle: EtherChannel bundles multiple physical links into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy between 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 should use PAgP instead of LACP on both ends
Why it's wrong here
PAgP is not required; LACP works when both sides actually use it.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where a question asks about a misconfiguration in an EtherChannel setup using PAgP, if both ends of the connection were configured for PAgP instead of LACP, then this option would be correct. For example, if a question stated that both ends were set to PAgP and the bundle failed to form, this would be a valid reason.
✓
One side is using LACP and the other side is using a static EtherChannel mode
Why this is correct
Mode active expects LACP, while mode on does not negotiate.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
EtherChannel bundles multiple physical links into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy between switches.
✗
The links must be routed ports before EtherChannel can form
Why it's wrong here
Layer 2 EtherChannels are common and do not require routed ports.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question specified that the interfaces were configured as routed ports and required to form an EtherChannel, then this option would be correct. In that scenario, the exam would be testing knowledge on the prerequisites for EtherChannel formation specifically related to port types.
✗
EtherChannel requires three or more member links
Why it's wrong here
Two links are enough.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question context where the exam specifies that an EtherChannel configuration must include at least three links for proper operation, option D would be correct. For example, a question could state that a network engineer is attempting to configure an EtherChannel with only two links and is encountering issues.
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.
✓One side is using LACP and the other side is using a static EtherChannel modeCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
Mode active expects LACP, while mode on does not negotiate.
✗The interfaces should use PAgP instead of LACP on both endsWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is incorrect because the question specifies that LACP is being used, which is incompatible with PAgP. EtherChannel can operate with either LACP or PAgP, but not both simultaneously.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where a question asks about a misconfiguration in an EtherChannel setup using PAgP, if both ends of the connection were configured for PAgP instead of LACP, then this option would be correct. For example, if a question stated that both ends were set to PAgP and the bundle failed to form, this would be a valid reason.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may be tempted by this option because they might confuse EtherChannel protocols and assume that if one protocol fails, another must be the solution, leading them to overlook the specific protocol in use.
✗The links must be routed ports before EtherChannel can formWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is wrong because EtherChannel can form with access ports or trunk ports, and there is no requirement for the interfaces to be routed ports for EtherChannel to function.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question specified that the interfaces were configured as routed ports and required to form an EtherChannel, then this option would be correct. In that scenario, the exam would be testing knowledge on the prerequisites for EtherChannel formation specifically related to port types.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option due to a common misconception that EtherChannel only works with Layer 2 interfaces, leading them to incorrectly believe that routed ports are incompatible with EtherChannel configurations.
✗EtherChannel requires three or more member linksWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
EtherChannel can function with as few as two member links; therefore, requiring three or more member links is not a valid reason for the bundle not forming in this scenario.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question context where the exam specifies that an EtherChannel configuration must include at least three links for proper operation, option D would be correct. For example, a question could state that a network engineer is attempting to configure an EtherChannel with only two links and is encountering issues.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may be misled by the common belief that more links enhance redundancy and performance, leading them to think that a minimum number of links is required for EtherChannel to work.
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
Ensure both sides of the EtherChannel are set to negotiate with LACP; avoid static channel settings.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
EtherChannel is a technology that aggregates multiple physical Ethernet links into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy. Cisco supports EtherChannel using protocols like LACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol) and PAgP (Port Aggregation Protocol), or by configuring static EtherChannel mode (mode on). LACP is an IEEE standard protocol that dynamically negotiates link aggregation between switches, requiring both ends to participate in the negotiation process using active or passive modes. This negotiation ensures that only compatible links are bundled, preventing misconfigurations and loops.
For an EtherChannel to form using LACP, both switches must be configured to use LACP modes that allow negotiation: active (actively initiates negotiation) or passive (responds to negotiation). If one side uses LACP and the other side is set to static mode (mode on), which does not negotiate, the bundle will fail to form because the static side does not send or respond to LACP packets. This mismatch is a common cause of EtherChannel failures in Cisco environments and is critical to understand for the CCNA exam. Both sides must use compatible modes and protocols for the EtherChannel to establish successfully.
A frequent exam trap is confusing static EtherChannel mode with LACP or PAgP modes. Static mode forces the interface to bundle without negotiation, so if the other side expects LACP negotiation, the EtherChannel will not form. Practically, this means network engineers must verify that both ends use the same protocol and compatible modes to avoid link failures. Understanding this behavior helps troubleshoot EtherChannel issues and ensures reliable link aggregation in Cisco networks.
KKey Concepts to Remember
EtherChannel bundles multiple physical links into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy between switches.
LACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol) requires both ends of the EtherChannel to negotiate using active or passive mode for the bundle to form.
Static EtherChannel mode (mode on) does not perform negotiation and expects the other side to be configured identically to form a bundle.
A mismatch between LACP-enabled ports and static mode ports prevents EtherChannel formation because the protocols do not interoperate.
EtherChannel can be configured using either LACP, PAgP, or static mode, but both ends must use the same protocol and compatible modes.
Two physical links are sufficient to form an EtherChannel; there is no requirement for three or more links.
EtherChannel operates at Layer 2 or Layer 3, and does not require interfaces to be routed ports to form a bundle.
LACP uses protocol negotiation to dynamically detect and aggregate links, improving link management and fault tolerance.
TExam Day Tips
→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
EtherChannel bundles multiple physical links into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy between switches.
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. EtherChannel bundles multiple physical links into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy between switches. 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.
Review etherChannel bundles multiple physical links into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy between switches., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Switching and Network Access — This question tests Switching and Network Access — EtherChannel bundles multiple physical links into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy between switches..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: One side is using LACP and the other side is using a static EtherChannel mode — For an LACP EtherChannel to form, both sides must negotiate with LACP using active or passive mode. One side here is set to channel-group mode on, which creates a static channel and does not speak LACP. That mismatch prevents the bundle from forming.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review etherChannel bundles multiple physical links into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy between switches., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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?
EtherChannel bundles multiple physical links into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy between switches.
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