Cisco 200-301 Exam - Topic 1 Question 130 Discussion

EtherChannel mode on creates a static port channel without using a negotiation protocol. That means the switch bundles the selected physical interfaces unconditionally, provided the local interface parameters are compatible. No LACP or PAgP packets are exchanged. Mode active is LACP and actively attempts to negotiate. Mode auto is PAgP passive behavior, and desirable is PAgP active negotiation. The question says without using a negotiation protocol, so the only correct choice is on. Cisco CCNA v1.1 Network Access includes EtherChannel configuration and the difference between static, LACP, and PAgP modes. In production, static EtherChannel must be used carefully because the switch does not protect you from all mismatches the same way a negotiation protocol can. Both sides must be configured consistently. For exam purposes, the keyword is unconditional. If the bundle is formed manually and no LACP/PAgP negotiation is sent or received, the Cisco IOS command uses channel-group mode on.