Which feature allows AOS-CX switches to minimize downtime during maintenance?

The Virtual Switching Framework (VSF) feature enables AOS-CX switches to minimize downtime during maintenance by allowing multiple switches to operate as a single virtual switch. This design enhances network resilience and availability since, in a VSF setup, if one switch needs maintenance or fails, the other switch(s) in the framework can continue to handle traffic without disruption.

VSF provides a way to maintain uninterrupted service by presenting a unified control plane and data plane to the network, easing the process of software upgrades and configuration changes. When performing maintenance, administrators can take one switch out of operation while keeping the virtual switch operational, thus ensuring that the overall network functionality is preserved.

The other options, while relevant to various aspects of network performance and redundancy, do not inherently provide the same level of seamless operation as VSF during maintenance events. For instance, LACP and EtherChannel focus on load balancing and combining multiple links for bandwidth efficiency rather than directly addressing switch maintenance. Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol optimizes network topology changes but may still involve temporary outages as the network converges.