- A
Active mode will not send LACP packets unless the peer is also in active mode.
Why wrong: Active mode sends LACP packets regardless of the peer's mode.
- B
Passive mode will only respond to LACP packets and will not initiate negotiation.
Passive mode waits for LACP packets from the peer and does not initiate the negotiation.
- C
Passive mode cannot form an EtherChannel with another passive mode interface.
Two passive interfaces cannot form an EtherChannel because neither will initiate LACP negotiation.
- D
Active mode will initiate LACP negotiation by sending LACP packets.
Active mode proactively sends LACP packets to negotiate the EtherChannel.
- E
Both active and passive modes are supported in PAgP.
Why wrong: PAgP uses 'desirable' and 'auto' modes, not active and passive.
Understanding LACP Modes (Active and Passive)
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. 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.
Which THREE statements correctly describe the behavior of LACP modes in an EtherChannel configuration?
Quick Answer
The correct answer identifies that passive mode will only respond to LACP packets and will not initiate negotiation, while active mode actively sends LACP packets to initiate negotiation with either an active or passive peer. This behavior stems from the core distinction between the two LACP modes: active mode interfaces proactively transmit LACP frames to form an EtherChannel, whereas passive mode interfaces remain silent until they receive an LACP packet from a peer. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how EtherChannel negotiation protocols work, often appearing in questions that ask you to predict whether a channel will form between two switches. A common trap is assuming two passive interfaces will form a channel—they will not, because both wait for the other to initiate, resulting in no LACP packets being sent. For a quick memory tip, remember that “active” acts first, while “passive” patiently waits for a partner to speak.
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
Passive mode will only respond to LACP packets and will not initiate negotiation.
B is correct because passive mode interfaces only respond to LACP packets and never initiate negotiation. C is correct because two passive interfaces will both wait for the other to initiate, so no LACP packets are sent and the EtherChannel never forms. D is correct because active mode interfaces actively send LACP packets to initiate negotiation with either an active or passive peer. A is incorrect: active mode sends LACP packets regardless of the peer’s mode; it can form a channel with passive just as well as with active. E is incorrect because PAgP supports only desirable and auto modes, not LACP’s active/passive modes; PAgP and LACP are separate protocols.
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 mode will not send LACP packets unless the peer is also in active mode.
Why it's wrong here
Active mode sends LACP packets regardless of the peer's mode.
- ✓
Passive mode will only respond to LACP packets and will not initiate negotiation.
Why this is correct
Passive mode waits for LACP packets from the peer and does not initiate the negotiation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Passive mode cannot form an EtherChannel with another passive mode interface.
Why this is correct
Two passive interfaces cannot form an EtherChannel because neither will initiate LACP negotiation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Active mode will initiate LACP negotiation by sending LACP packets.
Why this is correct
Active mode proactively sends LACP packets to negotiate the EtherChannel.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Both active and passive modes are supported in PAgP.
Why it's wrong here
PAgP uses 'desirable' and 'auto' modes, not active and passive.
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.
✓Passive mode will only respond to LACP packets and will not initiate negotiation.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
Passive mode waits for LACP packets from the peer and does not initiate the negotiation.
✗Active mode will not send LACP packets unless the peer is also in active mode.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Active mode sends LACP packets regardless of the peer's mode, so it will initiate negotiation even if the peer is passive. The statement incorrectly claims that active mode will not send LACP packets unless the peer is also active.
Why candidates choose this
Students may confuse LACP active mode with PAgP desirable mode, which requires the peer to be in desirable mode to form a channel. They might think active mode also requires a matching active peer.
✗Both active and passive modes are supported in PAgP.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
PAgP uses 'desirable' and 'auto' modes, not 'active' and 'passive'. Active and passive are LACP-specific terms. PAgP is a Cisco proprietary protocol, while LACP is IEEE 802.3ad standard.
Why candidates choose this
Students often confuse LACP and PAgP modes because both have two modes that serve similar functions. They may mistakenly think that active/passive are also used in PAgP.
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
A common mistake is thinking active mode requires the peer to also be active, but active can form with either active or passive, while passive–passive pairs never negotiate.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
LACP uses two modes: active (sends LACPDUs every 30 seconds by default) and passive (only responds to received LACPDUs). When both ends are passive, no LACPDUs are ever sent, so the link remains in a down state for EtherChannel purposes. In real-world scenarios, misconfiguring both sides as passive is a common oversight that leads to a non-functional EtherChannel, often diagnosed by the 'show etherchannel summary' command showing the port in a 'waiting' or 'down' state.
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.
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
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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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 — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Passive mode will only respond to LACP packets and will not initiate negotiation. — B is correct because passive mode interfaces only respond to LACP packets and never initiate negotiation. C is correct because two passive interfaces will both wait for the other to initiate, so no LACP packets are sent and the EtherChannel never forms. D is correct because active mode interfaces actively send LACP packets to initiate negotiation with either an active or passive peer. A is incorrect: active mode sends LACP packets regardless of the peer’s mode; it can form a channel with passive just as well as with active. E is incorrect because PAgP supports only desirable and auto modes, not LACP’s active/passive modes; PAgP and LACP are separate protocols.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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