What is the default port mode for switch ports on EX Series switches?

The default port mode for switch ports on EX Series switches is access mode. In access mode, the switch port is configured to connect to end devices, such as computers, printers, or IP phones, which typically belong to a single VLAN. This mode enables the switch to treat traffic from the connected device as belonging to the specific VLAN associated with that port, allowing for straightforward connectivity and VLAN membership management.

When a port is in access mode, it does not carry traffic from multiple VLANs simultaneously, unlike trunk mode, which is designed for connections between switches or other network devices that need to manage multiple VLANs over a single link. The simplicity of access mode makes it ideal for most endpoints in a typical enterprise network setup.

This design choice reflects the common deployment scenario for switches, where most ports connect to individual devices rather than participating in inter-switch links, resulting in access mode being the standard configuration upon initial setup.