What is the maximum number of ports LACP supports in a single EtherChannel bundle?

The correct answer highlights that LACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol) can support a maximum of 16 ports in a single EtherChannel bundle, with only 8 of those ports being active simultaneously.

This is aligned with the IEEE 802.3ad standard, which LACP is based on. Although LACP allows for grouping up to 16 links, it stipulates that only half of those links can be actively used in data transmission at any given time. This design enhances redundancy and load balancing, allowing for additional standby links that can take over if one of the active links fails.

The ability to have 8 active ports while supporting a total of 16 is critical for network design, especially in environments where performance and fault tolerance are necessary. This feature enables greater flexibility in network configurations, as administrators can plan for scalability and resilience within their network architecture.