Turbocharge Your IT Journey: Ace the Cisco Certified Network Pro Test 2026 – Network Ninja Style!

To configure a Layer 3 interface on a Cisco device, the command used is "no switchport." This command disables Layer 2 switching on the interface, converting it into a Layer 3 interface, which is capable of routing IP packets. When a switch port is set to Layer 2 by default, it operates within the data link layer, allowing for the transmission of frames between devices on the same VLAN. By entering "no switchport," the interface is transformed into a router interface, enabling it to participate in routing protocols and handle IP addressing, which are critical functions for network layer operations.

This command is essential in scenarios where IP routing needs to be performed on interfaces traditionally used for switching, allowing for greater flexibility in network design and implementation. For instance, in a network that requires routing between VLANs, configuring specific interfaces as Layer 3 is necessary to facilitate inter-VLAN routing.

The other commands provided do not serve the purpose of configuring a Layer 3 interface. The "switchport" command is used to configure an interface as a Layer 2 switch port, while "interface port-channel" pertains to the configuration of bundled interfaces, and "channel-group number" is related to the Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP)