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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. 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 options correctly describe the behavior or configuration of EtherChannel? (Choose three.)
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
✓
EtherChannel can bundle up to 8 active physical links of the same type.
EtherChannel allows bundling up to 8 active physical links of the same type (e.g., all FastEthernet or all GigabitEthernet) to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy. All interfaces in the bundle must have consistent VLAN allowed lists and trunk mode configurations (or, for access ports, the same access VLAN) to avoid traffic misdirection or loops. Load balancing uses a hash algorithm that can be based on source MAC, destination MAC, source/destination IP, or TCP/UDP port numbers, with the default typically being source MAC on Cisco switches.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests that EtherChannel can bundle up to 8 active links (not 16, which includes standby in LACP), and that all interfaces must have matching VLAN and trunk settings, but candidates may mistakenly think load balancing is round-robin or that different link types can be mixed.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
EtherChannel uses the Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP, IEEE 802.3ad) or Cisco's Port Aggregation Protocol (PAgP) to negotiate and maintain the bundle. The hash algorithm distributes frames across member links based on a computed value, which can be tuned with the 'port-channel load-balance' command to optimize for traffic patterns (e.g., src-dst-ip for routed traffic). In real-world scenarios, misconfigured VLAN allowed lists on one member link can cause the entire EtherChannel to fail or drop traffic, as Cisco switches enforce consistency checks.
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 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.
What to study next
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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: EtherChannel can bundle up to 8 active physical links of the same type. — EtherChannel allows bundling up to 8 active physical links of the same type (e.g., all FastEthernet or all GigabitEthernet) to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy. All interfaces in the bundle must have consistent VLAN allowed lists and trunk mode configurations (or, for access ports, the same access VLAN) to avoid traffic misdirection or loops. Load balancing uses a hash algorithm that can be based on source MAC, destination MAC, source/destination IP, or TCP/UDP port numbers, with the default typically being source MAC on Cisco switches.
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
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-301 exam.
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