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350-401 Practice Question: Which two statements about EtherChannel load…
Which two statements about EtherChannel load balancing are true? (Choose two.)
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
✓
The load-balancing method can be configured globally or per EtherChannel interface.
EtherChannel load balancing can use source/destination MAC, IP, or TCP/UDP port information. The default method varies by platform but is often src-dst-mac. The hash is computed per frame, and all frames in a flow use the same link to avoid reordering.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The load-balancing method can be configured globally or per EtherChannel interface.
Why this is correct
Correct because the 'port-channel load-balance' command is applied globally, but some platforms allow per-interface override.
- ✗
The default load-balancing method on Catalyst 9000 switches is src-dst-ip.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the default on Catalyst 9000 switches is src-dst-mac, not src-dst-ip.
- ✓
When using src-dst-ip load balancing, packets between the same source and destination IP addresses always use the same physical link.
Why this is correct
Correct because the hash is deterministic based on source and destination IP, so all frames in that flow use the same link.
- ✗
EtherChannel load balancing can use Layer 4 port numbers only when the switch is in routed mode.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because Layer 4 port-based load balancing is available in both Layer 2 and Layer 3 EtherChannels, provided the switch supports it.
- ✗
Changing the load-balancing method causes a temporary interruption in traffic forwarding.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because changing the load-balancing method is hitless; it does not disrupt traffic, though hash results may change.
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
Go deeper
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on 350-401
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which two statements about EtherChannel load balancing are true? (Choose two.)
medium- ✓ A.The default load-balancing method on Cisco switches is typically based on source MAC address.
- B.Load balancing is performed on a per-packet basis to evenly distribute traffic across all links.
- ✓ C.The load-balancing algorithm can be changed to use both source and destination IP addresses.
- D.The load-balancing method applies only to inbound traffic on the EtherChannel.
- E.Load balancing can be based on Layer 4 port numbers without also using IP addresses.
Why A: EtherChannel load balancing can use source and/or destination MAC or IP addresses to determine which physical link to use for a given frame. The default method varies by platform but often uses source MAC. The hash is computed per frame, not per packet, and the algorithm is deterministic for a given flow to prevent reordering.
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.