This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of etherchannel. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 runs the following command on Switch SW8:
SW8# show etherchannel 2 detail | include "Port state|Port: Gi|Partner"
Port: Gi0/0
Port state = Up, In-Bundle
Port: Gi0/1
Port state = Up, In-Bundle
Port: Gi0/2
Port state = Down, Not-In-Bundle
Partner information:
Gi0/0: Partner state = bndl
Gi0/1: Partner state = bndl
Gi0/2: Partner state = down
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Gi0/2 is not bundled because the partner is in 'down' state, indicating a physical layer issue.
The filtered output shows that Gi0/0 and Gi0/1 are up and in-bundle, with their partners also in 'bndl' state. Gi0/2 is down and not in-bundle, with its partner also down. This indicates that the physical link on Gi0/2 is down, possibly due to a cable issue or the neighbor port being down. The correct answer is that Gi0/2 is not part of the EtherChannel because the link is down.
Key principle: OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
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 bundled and forwarding traffic.
The EtherChannel is using PAgP because the partner state shows 'bndl'.
Why it's wrong here
The 'bndl' state is common to both LACP and PAgP; the protocol is not specified here.
✗
Gi0/2 is in standby mode waiting to become active.
Why it's wrong here
The state is 'Down', not standby.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: OSPF can fail even when IP connectivity looks correct
OSPF neighbour formation depends on matching areas, timers, network type, authentication and passive-interface behaviour. Do not choose an answer only because the devices can ping.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OSPF questions usually test the details that control adjacency and route selection. Read the neighbour state, area, router ID and interface configuration before deciding what is wrong.
KKey Concepts to Remember
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
Router ID selection can affect neighbour relationships and LSDB output.
OSPF cost influences the preferred path.
A route can appear in OSPF information but not become the installed route.
TExam Day Tips
→Check area mismatch first when OSPF adjacency fails.
→Review passive interfaces when a network is advertised but no neighbour forms.
→Use show ip ospf neighbor and show ip route clues carefully.
Key takeaway
OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer at a university connects two campus buildings via a fibre link. Both routers run OSPF, but no adjacency forms — even though both routers can ping each other. The engineer finds one router is in area 0 and the other in area 1. OSPF adjacency requires matching area numbers, hello/dead timers, and network type. IP reachability alone is not enough.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 350-401 question in full detail.
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 350-401 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
EtherChannel — This question tests EtherChannel — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Gi0/2 is not bundled because the partner is in 'down' state, indicating a physical layer issue. — The filtered output shows that Gi0/0 and Gi0/1 are up and in-bundle, with their partners also in 'bndl' state. Gi0/2 is down and not in-bundle, with its partner also down. This indicates that the physical link on Gi0/2 is down, possibly due to a cable issue or the neighbor port being down. The correct answer is that Gi0/2 is not part of the EtherChannel because the link is down.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 350-401 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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