LLDP Overview

The LLDP (Link Layer Discovery Protocol) source code product provides an efficient Layer 2 neighbor discovery mechanism as required by the Industry Standards. It allows devices to advertise information about them to peer devices on the same LAN and to learn information about peer devices.

LLDP allows stations attached to an IEEE 802 LAN (Local Area Network) to advertise its own information to other stations attached to the same IEEE 802 LAN and to learn about the other stations.

The information advertised includes:

• Major capabilities provided by the system incorporating that station
• The management address or addresses of the entity or entities that provide management of those capabilities
• The identification of the station’s point of attachment to the IEEE 802 LAN required by those management entity or entities

The advertised information is learned and stored by recipients in a standard Management Information Base (MIB), allowing the NMS (Network Management System) to access the information using the SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol).