Which mode configuration setting would allow formation of an EtherChannel link between switches SW1 and SW2 without sending negotiation traffic?

The mode configuration setting that would allow the formation of an EtherChannel link between switches SW1 and SW2 without sending negotiation traffic is the "on" mode.

Here are the steps:

1. Access the switch's command-line interface (CLI) by connecting a console cable from your computer to the switch.

2. Enter the privileged EXEC mode by typing "enable" in the user EXEC mode.

3. Enter the global configuration mode by typing "configure terminal" in the privileged EXEC mode.

4. Enter the interface range configuration mode by typing "interface range" followed by the range of interfaces that you want to configure for EtherChannel. For example, if you want to configure interfaces FastEthernet 0/1 to 0/4, you would type "interface range fastethernet 0/1 - 4".

5. Enable EtherChannel manually on these interfaces by typing "channel-group 1 mode on". This command creates a channel group (group 1 in this case) and sets the mode to "on", which means the EtherChannel link is always on without sending any negotiation traffic.

6. Exit the interface range configuration mode by typing "exit".

7. Verify the EtherChannel configuration by typing "show etherchannel summary". This command displays the status of all the EtherChannels on the switch.

Remember to repeat these steps on SW2.