What is the primary purpose of implementing EtherChannel on Cisco switches?
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Explanation: EtherChannel is a Cisco technology that allows multiple physical Ethernet links to be bundled together to form one logical link. This logical link functions as a single high-bandwidth connection between switches, routers, or servers, offering several significant benefits for network performance and reliability. Combining Bandwidth: By grouping multiple links into one logical channel, EtherChannel increases the effective bandwidth between devices. For example, if you bundle four 1 Gbps links, the logical link can provide up to 4 Gbps of aggregated bandwidth. This is particularly useful in scenarios where high traffic volumes require more throughput than a single link can support. Redundancy and Load Balancing: In addition to increased bandwidth, EtherChannel also provides redundancy. If one of the physical links in the channel fails, traffic is automatically redistributed over the remaining links. This feature ensures that network connectivity is maintained without interruption. Furthermore, EtherChannel supports load balancing across all the bundled links, which helps in optimizing resource utilization and avoiding congestion. Simplified Management: EtherChannel simplifies network management by reducing the number of logical links that need to be monitored and managed. Instead of configuring and troubleshooting multiple individual interfaces, network administrators can work with a single aggregated interface. This consolidation makes the overall network architecture more manageable and easier to troubleshoot. Implementation and Compatibility: EtherChannel can be implemented on both access and trunk ports and is supported on many Cisco platforms. The technology is versatile and works with various link aggregation protocols, including Cisco’s proprietary Port Aggregation Protocol (PAgP) and the IEEE standard Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP). This compatibility ensures that EtherChannel can be deployed in a wide range of environments and can interoperate with equipment from different vendors if necessary. Other Options Considered: Increasing Physical Port Count (Option B): EtherChannel does not add physical ports; it aggregates existing ones. Redundancy via Duplicating Configurations (Option C): While redundancy is a benefit, EtherChannel does not duplicate configurations across switches; it aggregates multiple links on a single logical interface. Aggregating VLANs (Option D): VLAN aggregation or management is handled separately and is not the primary function of EtherChannel. Conclusion: The primary purpose of implementing EtherChannel is to combine multiple physical links into a single logical link (Option A), thereby increasing overall bandwidth and providing redundancy and load balancing. Understanding EtherChannel is essential for designing networks that can meet high-performance demands and ensure continuous connectivity. This technology is a fundamental part of Cisco’s solution set for improving network efficiency and resilience.
This CCNA practice question helps students prepare for Cisco networking certification exams by testing knowledge of network fundamentals, routing, switching, and network security concepts.