mediumMultiple Choice
CCNP Practice Question: Runs the following command on Switch SW1: SW1#…
A network engineer runs the following command on Switch SW1:
SW1# show etherchannel summary
Flags: D - down P - bundled in port-channel I - stand-alone s - suspended H - Hot-standby (LACP only) R - Layer3 S - Layer2 U - in use N - not in use, no aggregation f - failed to allocate aggregator
M - not in use, minimum links not met u - unsuitable for bundling w - waiting to be aggregated d - default port
Number of channel-groups in use: 1 Number of aggregators: 1
Group Port-channel Protocol Ports ------+-------------+-----------+-------------------------------------------- 1 Po1(SU) LACP Gi0/0(P) Gi0/1(P) Gi0/2(s) Gi0/3(D)
Based on this output, what can be concluded?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between 'suspended' (configuration mismatch) and 'down' (physical/administrative issue), leading candidates to misinterpret the '(s)' flag as a standby or waiting state.
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
✓
Interface Gi0/2 is suspended due to a configuration mismatch.
The output shows Gi0/2 with an '(s)' flag, which means 'suspended'. In LACP EtherChannel, a port is suspended when there is a configuration mismatch (e.g., different speed, duplex, VLAN settings, or trunk allowed VLANs) that prevents it from being bundled. The '(D)' flag on Gi0/3 indicates the port is down, not suspended.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Port-channel 1 is operating as a Layer 3 interface.
Why it's wrong here
The 'S' flag in the show etherchannel summary output denotes a Layer 2 port-channel, not Layer 3. If it were operating as a Layer 3 interface, the flag would be 'R' and the port-channel would typically have an IP address assigned for routed traffic. Since the output shows 'S', this EtherChannel is a switched (bridging) bundle, so this option is incorrect.
- ✓
Interface Gi0/2 is suspended due to a configuration mismatch.
Why this is correct
The lowercase 's' flag on Gi0/2 means the port is suspended from the EtherChannel bundle, not forwarding traffic. A port is suspended when its configuration parameters—such as speed, duplex, trunk allowed VLANs, or native VLAN—do not match the other members of the port-channel. To protect the network from loops or misforwarding, the switch holds the port in a suspended state until its settings are reconciled with the bundle. This matches the correct answer.
- ✗
Interface Gi0/3 is in standby mode waiting to join the bundle.
Why it's wrong here
Gi0/3 shows a 'D' flag, which indicates the interface is in a down state, not a standby or hot-standby mode. EtherChannel does not implement standby members: every configured member should either be in the port-channel ('P') or out of it ('I', 's', or 'D'). A link that is physically down or administratively shut down cannot negotiate to join the bundle, so calling it standby is incorrect.
- ✗
All four interfaces are actively forwarding traffic in the EtherChannel.
Why it's wrong here
Only Gi0/1 and Gi0/4 have the 'P' flag, meaning they are active members of the port-channel and currently forwarding traffic. Gi0/2 is suspended and Gi0/3 is down, so neither participates in frame forwarding. Thus the EtherChannel comprises only two active links, not four, and the bundle operates with reduced bandwidth and no redundancy on the downed/suspended ports.
Visual reference
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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.