The answer is that the EtherChannel should form successfully. This is because LACP active and passive mode negotiation for EtherChannel relies on one side initiating the process; active mode sends LACP packets to start the negotiation, while passive mode only listens and responds to those packets. Since one switch is set to active, it will initiate the handshake, and the passive switch will reply, allowing the bundle to come up as long as all other interface settings—such as speed, duplex, and VLAN configuration—match. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this tests your understanding of LACP modes and their compatibility; the common trap is confusing passive/passive (which fails) with active/passive (which works). A simple memory tip: think of active as the “talker” and passive as the “listener”—as long as at least one side talks, the conversation starts.
CCNA Switching and Network Access Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of switching and network access. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: lACP uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel links dynamically 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 with LACP. One side is set to active and the other is set to passive. If the remaining interface settings 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 successfully.
The EtherChannel should form successfully. In practical terms, active mode initiates LACP negotiation and passive mode listens and responds. Because one side is actively starting the negotiation, the bundle can come up if the interfaces also match in operational settings such as speed, duplex, switchport mode, and VLAN characteristics.
This is a classic LACP pairing question. Active/passive works. Passive/passive is the combination that usually fails to start the bundle.
Key principle: LACP uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel links dynamically 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 successfully.
Why this is correct
This is correct because active/passive is a valid LACP negotiation pairing.
Related concept
LACP uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel links dynamically 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, if the question specified that both switches were configured to active mode without any passive configuration, then this option would be correct, as both sides must be active for the EtherChannel to establish.
✗
The interfaces automatically become routed ports.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because LACP mode does not convert interfaces into Layer 3 ports.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question specified that the switches were configured to operate in a mode that requires routed ports, such as in a Layer 3 EtherChannel scenario, then this option would be correct. In that case, the interfaces would indeed become routed ports to facilitate Layer 3 communication.
✗
The switches delete the port-channel automatically.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because LACP negotiation failure does not automatically delete the configuration.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct in a scenario where the configuration of the switches is incorrect or incompatible, leading to a situation where the port-channel cannot be established, thus triggering an automatic deletion of the port-channel configuration.
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 successfully.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 an active port to form a bundle with a passive port; the passive side simply waits for LACP packets from the active side. Therefore, both sides do not need to be active.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario, if the question specified that both switches were configured to active mode without any passive configuration, then this option would be correct, as both sides must be active for the EtherChannel to establish.
Why candidates choose this
Students often confuse LACP with PAgP, where desirable/auto pairing is similar, or mistakenly think that passive means the link will never form, but LACP passive can still respond to active requests.
✗The interfaces automatically become routed ports.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
LACP mode does not change the Layer 2 or Layer 3 status of interfaces; it only controls the negotiation of EtherChannel bundling. Interfaces remain as switchports unless explicitly configured as routed ports.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question specified that the switches were configured to operate in a mode that requires routed ports, such as in a Layer 3 EtherChannel scenario, then this option would be correct. In that case, the interfaces would indeed become routed ports to facilitate Layer 3 communication.
Why candidates choose this
Some might think that because LACP is a Layer 2 protocol, it could affect the interface mode, but it does not. The confusion may arise from the fact that EtherChannel can be configured on Layer 3 interfaces, but LACP itself does not convert them.
✗The switches delete the port-channel automatically.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
LACP negotiation failure does not automatically delete the port-channel interface or its configuration. The port-channel remains, but the member ports will not bundle and will operate as individual ports.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct in a scenario where the configuration of the switches is incorrect or incompatible, leading to a situation where the port-channel cannot be established, thus triggering an automatic deletion of the port-channel configuration.
Why candidates choose this
Students might think that if negotiation fails, the switch cleans up the configuration to avoid errors, but Cisco switches do not automatically remove configured port-channels; manual intervention is required.
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, LACP requires only one side to be active; passive mode will still respond.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
EtherChannel is a technology that bundles multiple physical Ethernet links into a single logical link to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy. Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) is a dynamic protocol used to negotiate and manage EtherChannel links between switches, ensuring that both ends agree on the link aggregation parameters before forming the bundle. 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 but does not initiate them.
When one switch port is set to active and the other to passive, the active side sends LACP negotiation packets, and the passive side listens and responds. This combination allows the EtherChannel to form successfully because the negotiation is initiated and acknowledged. Both sides must also match in interface settings such as speed, duplex, VLAN membership, and switchport mode for the EtherChannel to come up. If these parameters differ, the EtherChannel will not form even if LACP negotiation occurs.
A common exam trap is confusing the active/passive pairing with the passive/passive pairing. Passive/passive mode means neither side initiates negotiation, so the EtherChannel will not form because no LACP packets are sent. Another trap is assuming both sides must be active, which is incorrect. Understanding how LACP modes interact and the importance of matching interface parameters helps avoid these mistakes and ensures proper EtherChannel formation in Cisco environments.
KKey Concepts to Remember
LACP uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel links dynamically between switches.
An active LACP mode port initiates negotiation by sending LACP packets, while a passive mode port only responds to these packets.
An EtherChannel forms successfully when one side is active and the other is passive, provided interface settings match.
Matching interface parameters such as speed, duplex, VLAN membership, and switchport mode are required for EtherChannel formation.
Passive/passive LACP mode pairing fails to form an EtherChannel because neither side initiates negotiation.
LACP negotiation failure does not automatically delete the port-channel configuration on Cisco switches.
EtherChannel interfaces do not convert to routed ports simply due to LACP mode settings.
Understanding LACP mode interactions prevents common mistakes in EtherChannel configuration and troubleshooting.
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 uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel links dynamically between switches.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
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 uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel links dynamically 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 uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel links dynamically between switches..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The EtherChannel should form successfully. — The EtherChannel should form successfully. In practical terms, active mode initiates LACP negotiation and passive mode listens and responds. Because one side is actively starting the negotiation, the bundle can come up if the interfaces also match in operational settings such as speed, duplex, switchport mode, and VLAN characteristics.
This is a classic LACP pairing question. Active/passive works. Passive/passive is the combination that usually fails to start the bundle.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review lACP uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel links dynamically 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 uses active and passive modes to negotiate EtherChannel links dynamically between switches.
About these practice questions
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Variation 1. Two switches form an EtherChannel. One side is configured with LACP active. Which setting on the other side will successfully negotiate the bundle?
medium
A.PAgP desirable
B.on
✓ C.LACP passive
D.PAgP auto
Why C: LACP forms when at least one side is active and the other side is active or passive.
Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
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