Cisco Device Discovery with LLDP

Summary

This topic use LLDP to map a network topology. Start learning CCNA 200-301 for free right now!!

Note: Welcome: This topic is part of Module 10 of the Cisco CCNA 3 course, for a better follow up of the course you can go to the CCNA 3 section to guide you through an order.

Table of Contents

• LLDP Overview
• Configure and Verify LLDP
• Discover Devices by Using LLDP
• Syntax Checker – Configure and Verify LLDP
• Packet Tracer – Use LLDP to Map a Network

LLDP Overview

The Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP) does the same thing as CDP, but it is not specific to Cisco devices. As a bonus, you can still use it if you have Cisco devices. One way or another, you will get your network map.

LLDP is a vendor-neutral neighbor discovery protocol similar to CDP. LLDP works with network devices, such as routers, switches, and wireless LAN access points. This protocol advertises its identity and capabilities to other devices and receives the information from a physically-connected Layer 2 device.

LLDP Overview

Configure and Verify LLDP

Depending on the device, LLDP may be enabled by default. To enable LLDP globally on a Cisco network device, enter the lldp run command in the global configuration mode. To disable LLDP, enter the no lldp run command in the global configuration mode.

Similar to CDP, LLDP can be configured on specific interfaces. However, LLDP must be configured separately to transmit and receive LLDP packets.

To verify LLDP has been enabled on the device, enter the show lldp command in privileged EXEC mode.

Switch# conf t
Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.
Switch(config)# lldp run
Switch(config)# interface gigabitethernet 0/1
Switch(config-if)# lldp transmit
Switch(config-if)# lldp receive
Switch(config-if)# end
Switch# show lldp
Global LLDP Information:
    Status: ACTIVE
    LLDP advertisements are sent every 30 seconds
    LLDP hold time advertised is 120 seconds
    LLDP interface reinitialisation delay is 2 seconds

Discover Devices by Using LLDP

Consider the lack of documentation in the topology shown in the figure. The network administrator only knows that S1 is connected to two devices.

Discover Devices by Using LLDP

With LLDP enabled, device neighbors can be discovered by using the show lldp neighbors command, as displayed in the output.

S1# show lldp neighbors
Capability codes:
    (R) Router, (B) Bridge, (T) Telephone, (C) DOCSIS Cable Device
    (W) WLAN Access Point, (P) Repeater, (S) Station, (O) Other
Device ID           Local Intf     Hold-time  Capability      Port ID
R1                  Fa0/5          117        R               Gi0/0/1
S2                  Fa0/1          112        B               Fa0/1
Total entries displayed: 2

The network administrator discovers that S1 has a router and a switch as a neighbors. For this output, the letter B for bridge also means switch.

From the results of show lldp neighbors, a topology from S1 can be constructed, as displayed in the figure.

Results show lldp neighbors,

When more details about the neighbors are needed, the show lldp neighbors detail command can provide information, such as the neighbor IOS version, IP address, and device capability.

S1# show lldp neighbors detail
------------------------------------------------
Chassis id: 848a.8d44.49b0
Port id: Gi0/0/1
Port Description: GigabitEthernet0/0/1
System Name: R1
  
System Description:
Cisco IOS Software [Fuji], ISR Software (X86_64_LINUX_IOSD-UNIVERSALK9-M), Version 16.9.4, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc2)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2019 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Thu 22-Aug-19 18:09 by mcpre
  
Time remaining: 111 seconds
System Capabilities: B,R
Enabled Capabilities: R
Management Addresses - not advertised
Auto Negotiation - not supported
Physical media capabilities - not advertised
Media Attachment Unit type - not advertised
Vlan ID: - not advertised
  
------------------------------------------------
Chassis id: 0025.83e6.4b00
Port id: Fa0/1
Port Description: FastEthernet0/1
System Name: S2
  
System Description:
Cisco IOS Software, C2960 Software (C2960-LANBASEK9-M), Version 15.0(2)SE4, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2013 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Wed 26-Jun-13 02:49 by prod_rel_team
  
Time remaining: 107 seconds
System Capabilities: B
Enabled Capabilities: B
Management Addresses - not advertised
Auto Negotiation - supported, enabled
Physical media capabilities:
    100base-TX(FD)
    100base-TX(HD)
    10base-T(FD)
    10base-T(HD)
Media Attachment Unit type: 16
Vlan ID: 1
  
Total entries displayed: 2

Syntax Checker – Configure and Verify LLDP

Practice configuring and verifying LLDP.

Complete the following steps to configure LLDP on R1:

• Enter global configuration mode and enable LLDP globally.
• Enter interface configuration mode for g0/0/0. Use g0/0/0 as the interface designation.
• Disable the sending of LLDP messages on the interface.
• Disable the receiving of LLDP messages on the interface.
• Use the end command to return to global configuration mode.

R1#configure terminal
R1(config)#lldp run
R1(config)#interface g0/0/0
R1(config-if)#no lldp transmit
R1(config-if)#no lldp receive
R1(config-if)#end
*Oct  2 16:19:16.167: %SYS-5-CONFIG_I: Configured from console by console

You are now logged into S1. Display the list of LLDP neighbors.

S1#show lldp neighbors
capability codes:
    (R) Router, (B) Bridge, (T) Telephone, (C) DOCSIS Cable Device
    (W) WLAN Access Point, (P) Repeater, (S) Station, (O) Other
Device ID           Local Intf     Hold-time  Capability      Port ID
R1                  Fa0/5          115        R               Gi0/0/1
Total entries displayed: 1

Display more details from the list of LLDP neighbors on S1.

S1#show lldp neighbors detail
------------------------------------------------
Chassis id: 848a.8d44.49b0
Port id: Gi0/0/1
Port Description: GigabitEthernet0/0/1
System Name: R1
   
System Description:
Cisco IOS Software [Fuji], ISR Software (X86_64_LINUX_IOSD-UNIVERSALK9-M), Version 16.9.4, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc2)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2019 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Thu 22-Aug-19 18:09 by mcpre
   
Time remaining: 114 seconds
System Capabilities: B,R
Enabled Capabilities: R
Management Addresses - not advertised
Auto Negotiation - not supported
Physical media capabilities - not advertised
Media Attachment Unit type - not advertised
Vlan ID: - not advertised
   
Total entries displayed: 1

You have successfully configured and verified LLDP on the router.