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: lACP uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel link bundling 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.
Two switches form an EtherChannel. One side is configured with LACP active. Which setting on the other side will successfully negotiate the bundle?
PAgP desirable
Why wrong: PAgP and LACP are different negotiation protocols.
on
Why wrong: Static "on" does not negotiate with LACP and can create inconsistency.
LACP passive
Correct. Active plus passive will negotiate LACP.
PAgP auto
Why wrong: PAgP auto is incompatible with LACP.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
LACP passive
LACP forms when at least one side is active and the other side is active or passive.
Key principle: LACP uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel link bundling between switches.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
PAgP desirable
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where both switches are configured to use PAgP, a question might ask what setting on the second switch would successfully negotiate with a switch configured with PAgP auto. In that case, PAgP desirable would be the correct answer.
on
Why it's wrong here
Static "on" does not negotiate with LACP and can create inconsistency.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where both switches are configured to use static EtherChannel without any negotiation protocol, the 'on' setting would be correct, as it would enable the EtherChannel without requiring any negotiation.
LACP passive
Why this is correct
Correct. Active plus passive will negotiate LACP.
Related concept
LACP uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel link bundling between switches.
PAgP auto
Option-by-option analysis
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.
Why this is correct
Correct. Active plus passive will negotiate LACP.
Why this is wrong here
PAgP is a Cisco proprietary protocol and cannot negotiate with LACP. Even if one side is set to PAgP desirable, the LACP active side will not respond, resulting in no EtherChannel formation.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where both switches are configured to use PAgP, a question might ask what setting on the second switch would successfully negotiate with a switch configured with PAgP auto. In that case, PAgP desirable would be the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Students often confuse PAgP and LACP because both are dynamic link aggregation protocols. The term 'desirable' sounds similar to 'active', leading to the mistaken belief that they can interoperate.
Why this is wrong here
The 'on' mode creates a static EtherChannel without any negotiation. Since the LACP active side expects LACP PDUs to form the bundle, the static 'on' side will not send or respond to LACP messages, causing a mismatch.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where both switches are configured to use static EtherChannel without any negotiation protocol, the 'on' setting would be correct, as it would enable the EtherChannel without requiring any negotiation.
Why candidates choose this
The 'on' mode is simple and often used for static configurations. A student might think that since both sides are set to form an EtherChannel, it will work, but they overlook the need for protocol compatibility.
Why this is wrong here
PAgP auto is a passive PAgP mode that waits for a PAgP desirable partner. It cannot negotiate with LACP active because the protocols are incompatible.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question specified that both switches were configured to use PAgP instead of LACP, then selecting PAgP auto would be correct as it would allow for negotiation in a PAgP environment where one side is set to PAgP desirable.
Why candidates choose this
The term 'auto' might be confused with LACP passive, as both are passive modes. However, they belong to different protocols, and a student might incorrectly assume they can work together.
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
Remember that 'on' mode forces the channel without negotiation and LACP cannot form a channel with PAgP.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
Key takeaway
LACP uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel link bundling between switches.
Real-world example
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. LACP uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel link bundling between switches. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Review lACP uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel link bundling between switches., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Switching and Network Access — This question tests Switching and Network Access — LACP uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel link bundling between switches..
The correct answer is: LACP passive — LACP forms when at least one side is active and the other side is active or passive.
Review lACP uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel link bundling between switches., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
LACP uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel link bundling between switches.
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Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
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