Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
Two switches form an EtherChannel. One side is configured with LACP active. Which setting on the other side will successfully negotiate the bundle?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
PAgP desirable
PAgP and LACP are different negotiation protocols.
B
Distractor review
on
Static "on" does not negotiate with LACP and can create inconsistency.
C
Best answer
LACP passive
Correct. Active plus passive will negotiate LACP.
D
Distractor review
PAgP auto
PAgP auto is incompatible with LACP.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common exam trap is selecting PAgP modes (desirable or auto) or static "on" mode on the opposite side of an LACP active configuration. PAgP is a Cisco proprietary protocol incompatible with LACP, so it cannot negotiate with LACP active. Similarly, static "on" mode disables negotiation and forces the channel, which will not work if the other side expects LACP negotiation. Candidates often mistakenly believe that any aggregation mode will work if the physical links match, but protocol mismatch or lack of negotiation causes EtherChannel formation failure. Understanding that LACP active must pair with LACP passive or active is essential to avoid this trap.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
EtherChannel is a technology that allows multiple physical Ethernet links to be combined into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy. Cisco supports two main negotiation protocols for EtherChannel: LACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol) and PAgP (Port Aggregation Protocol). LACP is an IEEE standard (802.3ad) and can operate in active or passive mode, where active mode actively initiates negotiation and passive mode waits for negotiation requests. This negotiation ensures that both ends agree on which links to bundle, preventing misconfigurations and loops. For LACP to successfully form an EtherChannel, at least one side must be set to active mode to initiate the negotiation, while the other side can be either active or passive. If one side is configured as LACP active, the other side must be LACP passive or active to negotiate the bundle. Static "on" mode disables negotiation and forces the link aggregation, which can cause issues if the other side uses LACP. PAgP is a Cisco proprietary protocol and is incompatible with LACP, so mixing PAgP and LACP on opposite sides will prevent EtherChannel formation. A common exam trap is confusing PAgP and LACP modes or assuming static "on" mode will negotiate with LACP. Candidates often select PAgP options or "on" mode, which do not interoperate with LACP active mode, causing negotiation failure. Understanding that LACP active and passive modes must be paired correctly is critical for passing the CCNA exam and for practical network design. In real networks, mismatched EtherChannel protocols or modes lead to link flapping or traffic blackholing, emphasizing the importance of correct configuration.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- LACP uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel link bundling between switches.
- An EtherChannel forms successfully when one side is LACP active and the other side is LACP active or passive.
- Static "on" mode forces EtherChannel without negotiation and can cause issues if the other side uses LACP.
- PAgP is a Cisco proprietary protocol and does not interoperate with LACP, preventing EtherChannel formation.
- LACP negotiation prevents misconfiguration by ensuring both sides agree on bundled links before enabling the channel.
- Mixing PAgP and LACP protocols on opposite switch ports causes EtherChannel negotiation failure.
- LACP passive mode waits for negotiation requests and does not initiate them, requiring the other side to be active.
- Correct EtherChannel negotiation modes prevent link flapping and ensure stable aggregated links in Cisco networks.
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.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A router learns the same prefix from both OSPF and EIGRP. Which route is installed by default?
Question 2
A router shows this output: R1#show ip ospf neighbor Neighbor ID Pri State Dead Time Address Interface 10.1.1.2 1 FULL/DR 00:00:34 192.168.12.2 GigabitEthernet0/0 10.1.1.3 1 2WAY/DROTHER 00:00:39 192.168.12.3 GigabitEthernet0/0 Which statement is correct?
Question 3
What is the OSPF metric called?
Question 4
A non-root switch has two uplinks toward the root bridge. One path has a lower total STP cost than the other. What role will the lower-cost uplink have?
Question 5
A router interface applies this ACL inbound: 10 deny tcp any any eq 80 20 permit ip any any A user reports that web browsing to a server by IP address fails, but ping works. Which statement best explains the behavior?
Question 6
A router learns route 198.51.100.0/24 from OSPF with AD 110 and also has a static route to the same prefix configured with AD 150. Which route is installed?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
LACP uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel link bundling between switches.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: LACP passive — LACP forms when at least one side is active and the other side is active or passive.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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