hardMultiple Choice
CCNP Practice Question: Runs the following command on Switch SW9: SW9#…
A network engineer runs the following command on Switch SW9:
SW9# show etherchannel 4 port-channel
Port-channels in the group: ---------------------------
Port-channel: Po4 (Primary Aggregator)
Age of the Port-channel = 0d:00h:20m:10s Logical slot/port = 16/4 Number of ports = 3 HotStandby port = null Port state = Port-channel Ag-Inuse Protocol = LACP
Ports in the Port-channel:
Index Load Port EC state No of bits ------+------+------+----------------+---------- 0 00 Gi0/0 Active 4 1 00 Gi0/1 Active 4 2 00 Gi0/2 Standby 4
Time since last port bundled: 0d:00h:15m:00s Gi0/1
Based on this output, what can be concluded?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often misinterpret the 'Standby' state as a failure or misconfiguration (like not receiving LACP packets), rather than recognizing it as a deliberate feature of LACP's max-bundle configuration.
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
✓
The EtherChannel has a maximum bundle size of 2, so Gi0/2 is a hot-standby port.
The output shows three ports in the port-channel, but only two are in the 'Active' state (Gi0/0 and Gi0/1), while Gi0/2 is in 'Standby' state. This indicates that the EtherChannel has a maximum bundle size of 2, likely configured with the 'lacp max-bundle 2' command, which limits the number of active ports to two, making Gi0/2 a hot-standby port that will become active only if one of the active ports fails.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
All three ports are actively forwarding traffic in the EtherChannel.
Why it's wrong here
This statement is incorrect because in an EtherChannel with an LACP maximum bundle size configured, only the designated number of ports are placed in the active forwarding state. In a 3-port bundle with max-bundle 2, Gi0/2 is held in hot-standby while Gi0/0 and Gi0/1 actively forward traffic. A "show etherchannel summary" would list Gi0/2 with a status flag of 'H' (hot-standby), not 'P' (in port-channel), confirming it is not forwarding.
- ✗
Gi0/2 is in standby mode because it is not receiving LACP packets from the neighbor.
Why it's wrong here
LACP standby mode is not an error condition; it occurs when a port is fully functional and exchanging LACP PDUs with its peer, but the bundle already contains the maximum allowed active links. If Gi0/2 were not receiving LACP packets, it would be in a down or disabled state and the port-channel would not consider it as a member. Being in standby actually proves the port is receiving and processing LACP frames, since it remains synchronized and ready to convert to active if another link fails.
- ✓
The EtherChannel has a maximum bundle size of 2, so Gi0/2 is a hot-standby port.
Why this is correct
This is the correct interpretation: Cisco switches allow you to limit the active bundle size using either "port-channel max-bundle" or "lacp max-bundle," and when that limit is reached, surplus operational links become hot-standby ports. Gi0/2 is a fully functioning LACP participant but is intentionally not included in the active set of two ports. It continuously exchanges LACP messages and stays synchronized, so it can seamlessly assume forwarding duties without renegotiation should either of the two active ports go down.
- ✗
The port-channel is not in use because the load is zero.
Why it's wrong here
The port-channel is indeed in use because its logical state is "Ag-Inuse" (aggregator in use), meaning the port-channel is operationally up and has been selected to carry traffic. Traffic load counters showing zero only indicate that no frames are currently being transmitted or received at that instant, which is a snapshot of utilization, not a reflection of the interface's status or its inclusion in the data plane. A port-channel can be "in use" and have zero load because there is simply no traffic at the moment.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 350-401 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 350-401 exam.