What is a benefit of the 802.3ad standard?

A.
loop detection

B.
security

C.
higher bandwidth

D.
strict queuing

Explanation:
Network backbone

Link aggregation offers an inexpensive way to set up a high-speed backbone network that transfers much more data than any one single port or device can deliver. Although, in the past, various vendors used proprietary techniques, the preference today is to use the IEEE standard, which can either be set up statically or by using the Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP). This allows several devices to communicate simultaneously at their full single-port speed while not allowing any one single device to monopolize all available backbone capacity.

The actual benefits vary based on the load-balancing method used on each device (administrators can configure different balancing algorithms at each end and this is actually encouraged to avoid path polarization). Link aggregation also allows the network’s backbone speed to grow incrementally as demand on the network increases, without having to replace everything and buy new hardware.

Most backbone installations install more cabling or fiber optic pairs than is initially necessary, even if they have no immediate need for the additional cabling. This is done because labor costs are higher than the cost of the cable, and running extra cable reduces future labor costs if networking needs change. Link aggregation can allow the use of these extra cables to increase backbone speeds for little or no extra cost if ports are available.

Standardization process

By the mid 1990s, most network switch manufacturers had included aggregation capability as a proprietary extension to increase bandwidth between their switches. But each manufacturer developed its own method, which led to compatibility problems. The IEEE 802.3 group took up a study group to create an inter-operable link layer standard in a November 1997 meeting.[3] The group quickly agreed to include an automatic configuration feature which would add in redundancy as well. This became known as “Link Aggregation Control Protocol”