Since the switch supports only 10Gbps per port, achieving 40Gbps throughput requires link aggregation (LACP), which combines multiple 10Gbps links into one logical interface for higher bandwidth. Breakdown of Options: A). 802.1Q tagging - VLAN tagging helps segment traffic but does not increase throughput. B). Jumbo frames - Jumbo frames reduce overhead but do not increase bandwidth. C). Half duplex - Half duplex restricts communication, reducing performance instead of improving it. D). Link aggregation - Correct answer. LACP combines multiple 10Gbps links to provide a 40Gbps connection. Reference: CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) Official Study Guide - Domain 1.2: Compare and contrast network topologies and technologies. IEEE 802.3ad: Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP)