The answer is Link Aggregation using LACP (802.3ad). This technology allows you to combine multiple 1 Gbps copper links into a single logical connection, effectively increasing bandwidth between switches without needing to upgrade the physical interfaces. LACP dynamically negotiates the aggregated link, ensuring both switches manage the bundled ports as one, which also provides automatic failover if a link drops. On the CompTIA Network+ N10-009 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to scale throughput using existing hardware, often appearing in questions about switch stacking versus link aggregation. A common trap is confusing LACP with static link aggregation—remember that LACP is the dynamic, standards-based protocol (802.3ad) that handles negotiation and error checking automatically. For a memory tip, think of LACP as “Lots of Aggregated Copper Ports” working together to form a single, faster highway.
N10-009 Network Implementation Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of network implementation. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 company wants to increase the bandwidth between two switches without upgrading the existing 1 Gbps copper links. Both switches support 802.3ad. Which technology should be implemented?
Correct. LACP aggregates multiple physical links into one logical link, increasing overall bandwidth.
B
VLAN trunking
Why wrong: Incorrect. 802.1Q trunking tags frames for VLAN segmentation but does not aggregate bandwidth.
C
Port mirroring
Why wrong: Incorrect. Port mirroring copies traffic to another port for analysis and does not increase bandwidth.
D
StackWise
Why wrong: Incorrect. StackWise is a Cisco stacking technology that connects multiple switches into a single logical unit, but it is not a standard method for increasing bandwidth between two separate switches.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Link aggregation (LACP)
Link aggregation using LACP (802.3ad) allows multiple 1 Gbps copper links to be combined into a single logical link, increasing bandwidth between the two switches without upgrading the physical interfaces. Since both switches support 802.3ad, they can negotiate and manage the aggregated link dynamically, providing both increased throughput and link redundancy.
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.
✓
Link aggregation (LACP)
Why this is correct
Correct. LACP aggregates multiple physical links into one logical link, increasing overall bandwidth.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
VLAN trunking
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. 802.1Q trunking tags frames for VLAN segmentation but does not aggregate bandwidth.
✗
Port mirroring
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Port mirroring copies traffic to another port for analysis and does not increase bandwidth.
✗
StackWise
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. StackWise is a Cisco stacking technology that connects multiple switches into a single logical unit, but it is not a standard method for increasing bandwidth between two separate switches.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse link aggregation with stacking (StackWise) or VLAN trunking, thinking any multi-link technology increases bandwidth, but only LACP/802.3ad properly combines physical links for higher throughput between two switches.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
LACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol) operates by exchanging frames (LACPDUs) to automatically negotiate the formation of a Link Aggregation Group (LAG). Under the hood, hashing algorithms (e.g., based on source/destination MAC, IP, or TCP/UDP ports) distribute traffic across the member links, ensuring that packets in the same flow stay on the same link to prevent out-of-order delivery. In a real-world scenario, using LACP with four 1 Gbps links yields an aggregate bandwidth of up to 4 Gbps, but actual throughput depends on the number of flows and the hashing algorithm's effectiveness.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this N10-009 question in full detail.
Network Implementation — This question tests Network Implementation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Link aggregation (LACP) — Link aggregation using LACP (802.3ad) allows multiple 1 Gbps copper links to be combined into a single logical link, increasing bandwidth between the two switches without upgrading the physical interfaces. Since both switches support 802.3ad, they can negotiate and manage the aggregated link dynamically, providing both increased throughput and link redundancy.
What should I do if I get this N10-009 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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