What is the purpose of Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) in AOS-CX switches?

The purpose of Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) in AOS-CX switches is to bundle multiple physical links into a single logical link, which effectively increases bandwidth and provides redundancy. This means that instead of relying on a single physical connection, network traffic can be distributed across several links, thereby optimizing throughput and maintaining network performance.

In scenarios where one of the links within the aggregation fails, LACP allows the remaining links to continue to carry the traffic, thus enhancing network reliability without any manual intervention. This functionality is crucial in modern networks, where higher speeds and redundancy are often required to support heavy data traffic and ensure uninterrupted service.

The other options, while relating to network functionality, do not accurately describe the role of LACP. Managing VLAN configurations is typically handled by VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) or similar mechanisms. The Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) focuses on preventing loops in network topologies, and firmware updates are usually conducted through management protocols that are separate from LACP. Therefore, option B accurately captures the fundamental purpose of LACP in AOS-CX switches.