251Link Layer Discovery Protocol (802.1ab)This chapter describes the Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP) (IEEE802.1ab) and contains the following topics:• "Link Layer Discover Protocol (IEEE 802.1ab) Overview" (page 251)• "Configuring LLDP using the CLI" (page 255)• "Configuring LLDP using Device Manager" (page 269)Link Layer Discover Protocol (IEEE 802.1ab) OverviewRelease 5.0 software supports the Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP)(IEEE 802.1ab), which enables stations connected to a LAN to advertisetheir capabilities to each other, enabling the discovery of physical topologyinformation for network management. LLDP-compatible stations canconsist of any interconnection device including PCs, IP Phones, switches,and routers. Each LLDP station stores LLDP information in a standardManagement Information Base (MIB), making it possible for a networkmanagement system (NMS) or application to access the information.Each LLDP station:• advertises connectivity and management information about the localstation to adjacent stations on the same 802 LAN (802.3 Ethernet with4500 Series).• receives network management information from adjacent stations onthe same LAN.LLDP also makes it possible to discover certain configuration inconsistenciesor malfunctions that can result in impaired communications at higher layers.For example, it can be used to discover duplex mismatches between an IPPhone and the connected switch.LLDP is compatible with IETF PROTO MIB (IETF RFC 2922).LLDP: how it works shows an example of how LLDP works in a network.Nortel Ethernet Routing Switch 4500 SeriesOverview — System ConfigurationNN47205-500 02.01 Standard5.0 23 February 2007Copyright © 2007, Nortel Networks Nortel Networks Confidential.
