Which EtherChannel protocol allows for a maximum of 8 active interfaces?

The correct choice is LACP, which stands for Link Aggregation Control Protocol. This protocol is part of the IEEE 802.3ad standard and is designed to allow multiple physical links to combine into a single logical link for the purpose of providing redundancy and increased bandwidth. One of the key features of LACP is its ability to support a maximum of 8 active interfaces within one EtherChannel group.

When LACP is configured, it dynamically manages the aggregation of Ethernet links and can automatically detect changes in the link status, enabling robust network performance. This is particularly important for load balancing and resilience in network design, as it can adapt to various network conditions and ensure that traffic is evenly distributed across the available links.

The other options pertain to different network functions and do not specifically describe protocols for link aggregation in the same way that LACP does. Thus, understanding LACP and its properties is crucial for managing EtherChannel configurations effectively in a Cisco networking environment.