4.1 Introduction to LLDP
This section describes the background and principle of the LLDP.
Background
Currently, the Ethernet technology is widely used in Local Area Networks (LANs) and
Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs). With increasing demand for large-scale networks, the
capabilities for the NMS are highly required. For example, the NMS should address issues such
as obtaining topology of interconnected devices and conflicts in configurations on different
devices.
Recently, the NMS software adopts the function of automated discovery to trace changes in
topology. Most NMS software, however, can at best analyze the Layer 3 network topology and
group devices to different IP subnets. Data provided by the NMS concern only the events such
as adding or deleting devices. The NMS cannot obtain the information about which interfaces
on a device are used to connect another device. That is, the NMS cannot locate a device or
determine its operation mode.
Description of LLDP
The Layer 2 Discovery (L2D) protocol can discover information about the interfaces reside on
the devices and the devices connected to other devices, and display the paths between the client,
switch, router, application server, and network server. The preceding detailed information helps
find the root cause for the network failure.
The Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP) is an L2D protocol defined in the IEEE 802.1ab.
The LLDP protocol specifies that the status information is stored on all the interfaces and the
device can send its status to the neighbor stations. The interfaces can also send information about
changes in the status to the neighbor stations as required. The neighbor stations then store the
received information in the standard MIB of SNMP. The NMS can search for the Layer 2
information in the MIB. As specified in the IEEE 802.1ab standard, the NMS can also find the
unreasonable Layer 2 configurations based on the information provided by LLDP.
When the LLDP protocol runs on the devices, the NMS can obtain the Layer 2 information about
all the devices it connects and the detailed network topology information. This expands the scope
of network management. LLDP also helps find improper configurations on the network and
reports the configurations to the NMS. This removes error configurations timely.
4.2 LLDP Features Supported by the S9300
This section describes the LLDP features supported by the S9300.
MIB
MIB is the short form for the Management Information Base. The MIB provides the LLDP local
system MIB and the LLDP remote system MIB.
l
The LLDP local system MIB stores information about the local station, including the
chassis ID, interface number, system name, system description, interface description,
system capability, and management address.
4 LLDP Configuration
Quidway S9300 Terabit Routing Switch
Configuration Guide - Network Management
4-2
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Copyright © Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Issue 03 (2010-09-20)
