What is the maximum number of active interfaces that can be in an EtherChannel?

In an EtherChannel configuration, the maximum number of active interfaces that can be bundled together is eight. This limitation is set by the IEEE 802.3ad standard, which governs the operation of EtherChannel. When multiple physical interfaces are grouped into a single logical link, they work together to increase bandwidth and provide redundancy.

Each of the active links within an EtherChannel can transmit data simultaneously, allowing for efficient load balancing across the available paths. This leads to improved performance and resilience for network traffic.

While it's important to note that more than eight interfaces can be brought into the channel in a configuration (such as through configuration but not actively utilized), only eight will be active at any given time, ensuring compliance with the specifications that govern EtherChannel implementations.