The answer is to configure 'lacp system-priority 100' on the local switch. This works because LACP uses the system priority to elect the controlling switch in an EtherChannel; the switch with the numerically lower system priority becomes the decision-maker for which ports are active when the number of operational links exceeds the maximum allowed. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this concept tests your understanding of LACP negotiation and the role of system priority versus port priority—a common trap is confusing system priority with port priority, which only influences which specific ports are placed into standby after the system priority has already determined the controlling switch. Remember that system priority is a global parameter that decides who is in charge, while port priority is a local tiebreaker on that controlling switch. A useful memory tip: think of system priority as the "captain" who picks the team, and port priority as the "coach" who decides which players sit on the bench.
CCNP EtherChannel Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of etherchannel. 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.
A network engineer is configuring an EtherChannel between two Cisco switches. The engineer wants to use LACP and ensure that the local switch is the one that determines which ports are active in the channel. Which configuration should be applied?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure 'lacp system-priority 100' on the local switch.
The correct answer is to set the LACP system priority lower on the local switch. The wrong answers involve other LACP parameters that do not determine which switch controls active port selection.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 'lacp system-priority 100' on the local switch.
Why this is correct
Correct because a lower system priority value makes the switch more likely to be the controlling switch in LACP.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure 'lacp port-priority 100' on the physical ports of the local switch.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because port-priority determines which ports are active within the channel, not which switch controls.
✗
Configure 'channel-group 1 mode active' on the physical ports.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because mode active only initiates negotiation, it does not determine control.
✗
Configure 'lacp fast-switchover' on the port-channel interface.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because fast-switchover affects failover time, not control.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 practitioner preparing for the 350-401 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 350-401 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
EtherChannel — This question tests EtherChannel — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure 'lacp system-priority 100' on the local switch. — The correct answer is to set the LACP system priority lower on the local switch. The wrong answers involve other LACP parameters that do not determine which switch controls active port selection.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Identify which 350-401 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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