Open the lab

[ YOUR LAB FILE ]

Download the starting topology, then work through the lesson in SwitchLab.

Download SwitchLab Lab (.swlab)

  1. Save the .swlab file without renaming its extension.
  2. Open SwitchLab. Import and export controls currently require a desktop-width window. On a smaller screen, Tools → Fit brings the topology into view.
  3. Select Import Sandbox (folder icon), choose the downloaded file, and confirm the device and cable counts below.
  4. Select a device, then choose Open device on desktop or its name in the bottom bar on smaller screens. Select CLI for switches/routers or Desktop → Terminal for PCs. Enter enable only when the prompt ends in >.
  5. Follow this page beside the simulator. Use a free account to export your work. Reimport the original download to restart; export any work you want to keep first.

Prerequisites

  • Complete trunking and STP fundamentals.

Follow the CCNA study path · Browse all SwitchLab labs

Topology

Bundle Two Uplinks with LACP: starting network imported into the SwitchLab sandbox.
Starting topology captured in SwitchLab. Select the image to view it at full size.

6 devices · 6 links

Scenario

Two switches have parallel trunks. Convert them into one LACP port-channel with SW1 active and SW2 passive, retaining both department VLANs.

Objectives

  • Verify LACP negotiation and the state of both member ports.
  • Retain required VLAN traffic through the logical bundle and after a member outage.

CCNA blueprint

200-301 v1.1 objectives — this lab covers the following specific skills, not every subtopic in the domain.

  • 2.4 — Configure and verify Layer 2 EtherChannel using LACP.

Starting information

  • SW1 g0/7 and g0/8 connect to matching ports on SW2. Bundle both in channel-group 1.
  • Approved LACP roles: SW1 active, SW2 passive. The completed logical trunk carries VLANs 10,20 with matching native VLANs.
  • PC1/PC2 are Users VLAN 10; PC3/PC4 are Staff VLAN 20. Do not change their addresses or access memberships.
  • This lab verifies negotiation, member state and delivery; it does not measure aggregated bandwidth or promise a particular per-flow load-balancing result.
HostIPv4 addressMaskGateway
PC1192.168.10.10255.255.255.0None
PC2192.168.10.20255.255.255.0None
PC3192.168.20.30255.255.255.0None
PC4192.168.20.40255.255.255.0None
Device / portDevice / port
SW1 / g0/7SW2 / g0/7
SW1 / g0/8SW2 / g0/8
PC1 / eth0SW1 / g0/1
PC2 / eth0SW2 / g0/1
PC3 / eth0SW1 / g0/2
PC4 / eth0SW2 / g0/2

Tasks

  1. Inspect show etherchannel summary, trunk output and both member configurations before making a change.
  2. On each member enter channel-group 1 mode active for SW1 or channel-group 1 mode passive for SW2. Keep both members as trunks carrying VLANs 10,20, and explicitly configure interface port-channel 1 with the same trunk mode and allowed VLAN list on both switches.
  3. Verify Po1 is a Layer 2 channel in use and both g0/7 and g0/8 show the bundled P flag on each switch.
  4. Ping Users and Staff in both directions. Shut g0/7 on both ends, confirm Po1 remains up with g0/8 bundled, and repeat traffic. Restore both interfaces, verify two members again and export.

Useful commands

show etherchannel summary
show interfaces trunk
show running-config
copy running-config startup-config

Progressive hints

Hint 1

Read the channel summary flags before assuming two connected cables are a working bundle.

Hint 2

LACP passive responds but does not initiate. At least one side needs active mode, and member trunk settings must agree.

Hint 3

Configure SW1 active and SW2 passive in channel-group 1; inspect both members and the logical port-channel VLAN policy.

Verification

  • Both switches show Po1(SU) with LACP and both member ports bundled after restoration.
  • Users and Staff communicate in both directions.
  • With g0/7 disabled at both ends, Po1 remains operational through g0/8 and required traffic still succeeds.

Solution / walkthrough

Show Solution

Use enable only from a > prompt; if already at #, begin with configure terminal.

SW1

Use compatible member settings and an active LACP initiator. Preserve the host access VLANs; verify both members, not just the existence of Po1.

enable
configure terminal
interface g0/7
switchport mode trunk
switchport trunk allowed vlan 10,20
channel-group 1 mode active
exit
interface g0/8
switchport mode trunk
switchport trunk allowed vlan 10,20
channel-group 1 mode active
exit
interface port-channel 1
switchport mode trunk
switchport trunk allowed vlan 10,20
exit
end
copy running-config startup-config

SW2

Use compatible member settings and an active LACP initiator. Preserve the host access VLANs; verify both members, not just the existence of Po1.

enable
configure terminal
interface g0/7
switchport mode trunk
switchport trunk allowed vlan 10,20
channel-group 1 mode passive
exit
interface g0/8
switchport mode trunk
switchport trunk allowed vlan 10,20
channel-group 1 mode passive
exit
interface port-channel 1
switchport mode trunk
switchport trunk allowed vlan 10,20
exit
end
copy running-config startup-config

Run every verification check above after the changes. A saved configuration alone does not prove packet delivery.

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Design a Redundant Rapid-PVST Campus

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