Configuring EtherChannel Without Negotiation Protocol: Best Practices | Exam 200-301

EtherChannel Configuration: No Negotiation Protocol | Exam 200-301

Question

Which mode must be used to configure EtherChannel between two switches without using a negotiation protocol?

Answers

Explanations

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A. B. C. D.

B

The Static Persistence (or on mode) bundles the links unconditionally and no negotiation protocol is used. In this mode, neither PAgP nor LACP packets are sent or received.

When configuring EtherChannel between two switches, there are several modes available for configuration. These modes are used to determine how the EtherChannel will be established and what type of negotiation will be used.

The four modes available for EtherChannel configuration are:

  • On mode: This mode creates an EtherChannel without any negotiation. It forces the interface to be a member of the EtherChannel group and starts forwarding traffic immediately. On mode is suitable for environments where there is no need for negotiation between the switches.

  • Active mode: In this mode, the interface actively tries to negotiate an EtherChannel with the remote switch. It sends LACP packets to the remote switch and waits for a response. If the remote switch is also in active mode, it will send LACP packets back and the EtherChannel will be established. Active mode is suitable for environments where you want to actively negotiate EtherChannel with the remote switch.

  • Passive mode: This mode is similar to active mode, except that the interface does not actively send LACP packets to the remote switch. Instead, it waits for the remote switch to initiate the negotiation. If the remote switch is also in passive mode, it will send LACP packets and the EtherChannel will be established. Passive mode is suitable for environments where you want to allow the remote switch to initiate the negotiation.

  • Desirable mode: In this mode, the interface sends LACP packets to the remote switch and waits for a response. If the remote switch is also in desirable mode, it will respond with LACP packets and the EtherChannel will be established. If the remote switch is in auto or on mode, it will not respond and the EtherChannel will not be established. Desirable mode is suitable for environments where you want to negotiate EtherChannel with the remote switch, but you also want to allow for non-negotiation if the remote switch is in auto or on mode.

In this specific scenario, the question asks for the mode that must be used to configure EtherChannel between two switches without using a negotiation protocol. The correct answer is On mode. When On mode is used, no negotiation protocol is used and the interfaces are simply added to the EtherChannel group and start forwarding traffic immediately.