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Commonly confused · Routing & Switching

LACP vs PAgP: What's the Difference?

Both protocols negotiate EtherChannel link aggregation, bundling multiple physical links into one logical link. LACP is the IEEE open standard, while PAgP is Cisco proprietary and works only between Cisco devices.

LACP (802.3ad / 802.1AX)

vs
LACPPAgP
StandardIEEE 802.3ad, now 802.1AXCisco proprietary
Negotiation modesActive and PassiveDesirable and Auto
Forms a bundle whenAt least one side ActiveAt least one side Desirable
Does not formPassive with PassiveAuto with Auto
Multivendor supportYesNo
Static alternativemode on (no negotiation)mode on (no negotiation)
Remember it

LACP is Active and open; PAgP is Desirable but Cisco-only.

Exam tip

Expect mode-combination questions: Active/Passive and Desirable/Auto form a channel, Passive/Passive and Auto/Auto do not, and 'on' never negotiates with LACP or PAgP. Member ports must match speed, duplex, and VLAN settings.

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