The answer is yes, LACP active and passive modes do form an EtherChannel. This works because active mode initiates LACP negotiation by sending packets, while passive mode only listens and responds to those packets; as long as one side is active, the negotiation handshake completes successfully, and the EtherChannel comes up provided the underlying interface settings like speed, duplex, and VLAN membership are compatible. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this concept tests your understanding of LACP modes and their interaction, often appearing in questions that try to trick you into thinking both sides must be active. The common trap is confusing passive with active—remember that passive/passive fails because neither side initiates, but active/passive is a fully valid and standard pairing. For a quick memory tip, think of it like a phone call: active dials, passive answers, and the conversation starts.
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: lACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol) uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel formation 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 should form an EtherChannel using LACP. One side is configured active and the other passive. If the port settings otherwise match, what is the expected result?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The EtherChannel should form if the other interface settings are compatible.
The EtherChannel should form successfully. In plain language, active mode initiates LACP negotiation and passive mode listens and responds. Because one side is active, the negotiation can begin and the bundle can come up as long as the underlying interface settings are compatible.
This is a standard LACP pairing. The important lesson is that active/passive works, while passive/passive usually does not. The correct answer is the one that recognizes active/passive as a valid combination.
Key principle: LACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol) uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel formation 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 EtherChannel should form if the other interface settings are compatible.
Why this is correct
This is correct because active/passive is a valid LACP negotiation pairing.
Related concept
LACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol) uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel formation between switches.
✗
The EtherChannel fails because both sides must be active.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because passive can form a bundle with an active peer.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where the question specifies that both switches must be configured in active mode for an EtherChannel to form, this option would be correct. For example, if the question stated that both switches were required to be in active mode for LACP to function, then this option would accurately reflect that requirement.
✗
the bundle forms but only in PAgP mode
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because LACP negotiation does not automatically convert them into Layer 3 routed ports.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question setup, if the scenario involved a configuration where the switches were set to operate in a Layer 3 mode and the interfaces were configured to act as routed ports, then the statement about ports becoming routed interfaces could be correct.
✗
only the active side attempts to bundle
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because LACP does not remove VLAN configuration in that way.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where the question specifies that the interfaces are configured to operate in a mode that requires VLANs to be explicitly removed before forming an EtherChannel, this option could be correct. For example, if the question states that the interfaces must be in a specific mode that does not support VLAN tagging, then this option would apply.
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 EtherChannel should form if the other interface settings are compatible.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because active/passive is a valid LACP negotiation pairing.
✗The EtherChannel fails because both sides must be active.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
LACP allows a passive side to form an EtherChannel with an active peer; both sides do not need to be active. The passive mode simply means the port does not initiate negotiation but responds to LACP packets from the active side.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where the question specifies that both switches must be configured in active mode for an EtherChannel to form, this option would be correct. For example, if the question stated that both switches were required to be in active mode for LACP to function, then this option would accurately reflect that requirement.
Why candidates choose this
Students often think that both sides must be in the same mode (active/active or passive/passive) for negotiation to work, but active/passive is a standard and functional combination.
✗the bundle forms but only in PAgP modeWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
LACP and PAgP are incompatible, so the bundle cannot form in PAgP mode when one side is configured for LACP active and the other for LACP passive.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question setup, if the scenario involved a configuration where the switches were set to operate in a Layer 3 mode and the interfaces were configured to act as routed ports, then the statement about ports becoming routed interfaces could be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Some might confuse LACP with routing protocols or think that bundling ports automatically changes their interface type, but EtherChannel is independent of Layer 3 configuration.
✗only the active side attempts to bundleWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The active side initiates negotiation, but the passive side will respond to LACP packets, allowing the EtherChannel to form successfully.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where the question specifies that the interfaces are configured to operate in a mode that requires VLANs to be explicitly removed before forming an EtherChannel, this option could be correct. For example, if the question states that the interfaces must be in a specific mode that does not support VLAN tagging, then this option would apply.
Why candidates choose this
Test-takers might think that LACP clears VLANs to ensure compatibility, but in reality, VLAN mismatch is a common cause of EtherChannel failure, not something LACP resolves automatically.
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
Remember that active/passive works for LACP, but passive/passive does not initiate negotiation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) is a standardized protocol used to bundle multiple physical Ethernet links into a single logical link called an EtherChannel. This bundling increases bandwidth and provides redundancy. LACP operates in two modes: active and passive. Active mode actively initiates negotiation by sending LACP packets, while passive mode only responds to LACP packets without initiating them. This design allows flexible negotiation between devices.
For an EtherChannel to form using LACP, at least one side must be in active mode to start the negotiation process. If one switch is active and the other is passive, the active side sends LACP packets, and the passive side responds, successfully establishing the EtherChannel. Both sides must also have compatible interface settings, such as speed, duplex, and VLAN membership, to form the bundle. If these settings mismatch, the EtherChannel will not form despite correct LACP modes.
A common exam trap is assuming both sides must be active for LACP to work. However, passive/passive configurations fail because neither side initiates negotiation. Another misconception is that LACP changes Layer 2 ports into routed interfaces or removes VLANs, which it does not. Understanding these behaviors helps avoid mistakes and ensures proper EtherChannel configuration in Cisco environments.
KKey Concepts to Remember
LACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol) uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel formation between switches.
An EtherChannel forms successfully when one side is configured as active and the other as passive, allowing negotiation to initiate and respond.
Both sides configured as passive will not form an EtherChannel because no side initiates the LACP negotiation.
EtherChannel requires compatible interface settings such as speed, duplex, and VLAN membership for successful bundle formation.
LACP does not convert Layer 2 switch ports into routed Layer 3 interfaces automatically during negotiation.
VLAN configurations remain intact on member interfaces when forming an EtherChannel; LACP does not remove VLAN assignments.
Active mode actively sends LACP packets to initiate negotiation, while passive mode only responds to received LACP packets.
EtherChannel bundles multiple physical links into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy.
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
LACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol) uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel formation between switches.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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 lACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol) uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel formation 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 — LACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol) uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel formation between switches..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The EtherChannel should form if the other interface settings are compatible. — The EtherChannel should form successfully. In plain language, active mode initiates LACP negotiation and passive mode listens and responds. Because one side is active, the negotiation can begin and the bundle can come up as long as the underlying interface settings are compatible.
This is a standard LACP pairing. The important lesson is that active/passive works, while passive/passive usually does not. The correct answer is the one that recognizes active/passive as a valid combination.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review lACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol) uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel formation between switches., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
LACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol) uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel formation between switches.
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Variation 1. Two switches are connected with EtherChannel using LACP. One side is configured with mode active and the other side with mode passive. What happens?
medium
✓ A.The channel forms successfully
B.The channel stays down because both sides must be active
C.The channel forms only if PAgP is also enabled
D.The channel becomes a static Port-Channel
Why A: LACP forms an EtherChannel when at least one side actively negotiates. Active plus passive is a valid combination, so the bundle comes up if the physical settings match.
Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
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