easyMultiple Choice
CCNP Practice Question: Is configuring EtherChannel between two Cisco…
A network engineer is configuring EtherChannel between two Cisco switches using LACP. The engineer wants to ensure that if fewer than two links are operational, the EtherChannel does not come up. Which command should be configured?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between 'min-links' and 'max-links' commands, and the trap here is that candidates may confuse 'min-links' with 'max-links' or incorrectly assume that setting the channel-group mode (active/passive) alone enforces a minimum link requirement.
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
✓
Configure 'port-channel min-links 2' under the port-channel interface.
The 'port-channel min-links' command configures the minimum number of active member links required for the EtherChannel to become operational. When set to 2, the port-channel will not come up unless at least two links are active, meeting the engineer's requirement. This feature is supported by both LACP and PAgP, but is specifically configured under the port-channel interface.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Configure 'port-channel min-links 2' under the port-channel interface.
Why this is correct
Configuring 'port-channel min-links 2' on the port-channel interface instructs the switch to bring the bundle into operation only when at least two member links are physically up and have completed negotiation. If the number of active links falls below this threshold, the port-channel is administratively shut down to prevent application traffic from relying on a single link with degraded bandwidth. This command is supported for both LACP and PAgP and is the correct method to enforce a minimum link count.
- ✗
Configure 'lacp min-bundle 2' under the port-channel interface.
Why it's wrong here
The command 'lacp min-bundle 2' is not a valid Cisco IOS configuration command for setting a minimum link threshold; the proper interface-level command is 'port-channel min-links'. Cisco does offer 'lacp max-bundle' to limit the maximum number of active LACP links, but there is no equivalent 'lacp min-bundle'. Attempting to enter 'lacp min-bundle' would be rejected by the CLI, so it cannot satisfy the requirement.
- ✗
Configure 'channel-group 1 mode active' on the physical ports.
Why it's wrong here
Executing 'channel-group 1 mode active' on the physical ports configures those interfaces to actively send and respond to LACP PDUs, which enables negotiation with the peer switch. This command is essential for forming a LACP port-channel, but it does not set any minimum link requirement. The minimum link threshold is a property of the logical port-channel interface, not the member ports, so this option does not address the 'at least two links' condition.
- ✗
Configure 'port-channel max-links 2' under the port-channel interface.
Why it's wrong here
'port-channel max-links 2' limits the upper bound of active links in the bundle to two, but it does not guarantee that at least two links are available. With this configuration, the port-channel can still come up and forward traffic if only one member link is operational. To enforce the minimum, you must use 'port-channel min-links', which works in the opposite direction and brings the channel down when the link count drops below the specified value.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every 350-401 question from scratch — 1,923 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.