The answer is to configure the command port-channel min-links 2 under the port-channel interface. This command sets the minimum number of active member links required for the EtherChannel to be considered operational; if fewer than two links are up, LACP will keep the logical interface in a down state, preventing traffic from being forwarded over an under-redundant bundle. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this concept tests your understanding of EtherChannel reliability features and how LACP interacts with the port-channel interface, often appearing as a distractor against the unrelated command port-channel max-bundle or the global lacp min-links. A common trap is confusing min-links with max-bundle, so remember that min-links controls the floor for activation, not the ceiling for capacity. Memory tip: think “minimum for stability” — if you need at least two links to keep the channel alive, you set the floor with min-links.
350-401 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 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?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
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 correct answer is 'port-channel min-links 2', which sets the minimum number of active links required. The wrong answers either set maximum links or are unrelated.
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 'port-channel min-links 2' under the port-channel interface.
Why this is correct
Correct because min-links specifies the minimum number of active links needed for the channel to be up.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure 'lacp min-bundle 2' under the port-channel interface.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the correct command is 'port-channel min-links', not 'lacp min-bundle'.
✗
Configure 'channel-group 1 mode active' on the physical ports.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because this sets the LACP mode, not the minimum links requirement.
✗
Configure 'port-channel max-links 2' under the port-channel interface.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because max-links sets the maximum number of active links, not the minimum.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect because the correct command is 'port-channel min-links', not 'lacp min-bundle'.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 350-401 question in full detail.
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 'port-channel min-links 2' under the port-channel interface. — The correct answer is 'port-channel min-links 2', which sets the minimum number of active links required. The wrong answers either set maximum links or are unrelated.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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