Catalyst 2960 Switch Software Configuration Guide, Rel. 12.2(37)SE

Configuring LLDP and LLDP-MED

This chapter describes how to configure the Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP) and LLDP Media Endpoint Discovery (LLDP-MED) on the Catalyst 2960 switch. Unless otherwise noted, the term switch refers to a standalone switch and to a switch stack.

Note For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this chapter, see the command reference for this release and the "System Management Commands" section in the Cisco IOS Configuration Fundamentals Command Reference, Release 12.2.

This chapter consists of these sections:

•Understanding LLDP and LLDP-MED

•Configuring LLDP and LLDP-MED

•Monitoring and Maintaining LLDP and LLDP-MED

Understanding LLDP and LLDP-MED

This section contains this conceptual information:

•Understanding LLDP

•Understanding LLDP-MED

Understanding LLDP

The Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP) is a device discovery protocol that runs over Layer 2 (the data link layer) on all Cisco-manufactured devices (routers, bridges, access servers, and switches). CDP allows network management applications to automatically discover and learn about other Cisco devices connected to the network.

To support non-Cisco devices and to allow for interoperability between other devices, the switch supports the IEEE 802.1AB Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP). LLDP is a neighbor discovery protocol that is used for network devices to advertise information about themselves to other devices on the network. This protocol runs over the data-link layer, which allows two systems running different network layer protocols to learn about each other.

LLDP supports a set of attributes that it uses to discover neighbor devices. These attributes contain type, length, and value descriptions and are referred to as TLVs. LLDP supported devices can use TLVs to receive and send information to their neighbors. Details such as configuration information, device capabilities, and device identity can be advertised using this protocol.

The switch supports these basic management TLVs. These are mandatory LLDP TLVs.

•Port description TLV

•System name TLV

•System description

•System capabilities TLV

• Management address TLV

These organizationally specific LLDP TLVs are also advertised to support LLDP-MED.

•Port VLAN ID TLV ((IEEE 802.1 organizationally specific TLVs)

•MAC/PHY configuration/status TLV(IEEE 802.3 organizationally specific TLVs)

Note A switch stack appears as a single switch in the network. Therefore, LLDP discovers the switch stack, not the individual stack members.

Understanding LLDP-MED

LLDP for Media Endpoint Devices (LLDP-MED) is an extension to LLDP that operates between endpoint devices such as IP phones and network devices such as switches. It specifically provides support for voice over IP (VoIP) applications and provides additional TLVs for capabilities discovery, network policy, Power over Ethernet, and inventory management.

LLDP-MED supports these TLVs:

•LLDP-MED capabilities TLV

Allows LLDP-MED endpoints to determine the capabilities that the connected device supports and what capabilities the device has enabled.

•Network policy TLV

Allows both network connectivity devices and endpoints to advertise VLAN configurations and associated Layer 2 and Layer 3 attributes for the specific application on that port. For example, the switch can notify a phone of the VLAN number that it should use. The phone can connect into any switch, obtain its VLAN number, and then start communicating with the call control

•Power management TLV

Enables advanced power management between LLDP-MED endpoint and network connectivity devices. Allows switches and phones to convey power information, such as how the device is powered, power priority, and how much power the device needs.

•Inventory management TLV

Allows an endpoint to transmit detailed inventory information about itself to the switch, including information hardware revision, firmware version, software version, serial number, manufacturer name, model name, and asset ID TLV.

Note LLDP and LLDP-MED cannot operate simultaneously in a network. By default, a network device sends only LLDP packets until it receives LLDP-MED packets from an endpoint device. The network device then sends out LLDP-MED packets until it receives LLDP-only packets.

Configuring LLDP and LLDP-MED

This section contains this configuration information:

•Default LLDP Configuration

•Configuring LLDP Characteristics

•Disabling and Enabling LLDP Globally

•Disabling and Enabling LLDP on an Interface

•Configuring LLDP-MED TLVs

Default LLDP Configuration

Table 23-1 shows the default LLDP configuration. To change the default settings, use the LLDP global configuration and LLDP interface configuration commands.

Configuring LLDP Characteristics

You can configure the frequency of LLDP updates, the amount of time to hold the information before discarding it, and the initialization delay time. You can also select the LLDP and LLDP-MED TLVs to be sent and received.

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to configure these characteristics:

Note Steps 2 through 5 are all optional and can be performed in any order.

Use the no form of each of the LLDP commands to return to the default setting.

This example shows how to configure LLDP characteristics.

Switch# configure terminal

Switch(config)# lldp holdtime 120

Switch(config)# lldp reinit 2

Switch(config)# lldp timer 30

Switch(config)# end

For additional LLDP show commands, see the "Monitoring and Maintaining LLDP and LLDP-MED" section.

Disabling and Enabling LLDP Globally

LLDP is enabled by default.

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to disable LLDP:

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to enable LLDP-MED when it has been disabled:

This example shows how to disable LLDP.

Switch# configure terminal

Switch(config)# no lldp run

Switch(config)# end

This example shows how to enable LLDP.

Switch# configure terminal

Switch(config)# lldp run

Switch(config)# end

Disabling and Enabling LLDP on an Interface

LLDP is enabled by default on all supported interfaces to send and to receive LLDP information.

Note If the interface is configured as a tunnel port, LLDP is automatically disabled.

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to disable LLDP on an interface.

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to enable LLDP on an interface when it has been disabled:

This example shows how to enable LLDP on an interface.

Switch# configure terminal

Switch(config)# interface GigabitEthernet0/1

Switch(config-if)# lldp transmit

Switch(config-if)# lldp receive

Switch(config-if)# end

Configuring LLDP-MED TLVs

By default, the switch only sends LLDP packets until it receives LLDP-MED packets from the end device. The device continues to send LLDP-MED packets until it receives LLDP packets only.

By using the lldp interface configuration command, you can configure the interface not to send the TLVs listed in Table 23-2.

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to disable a TLV on an interface:

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to enable a TLV on an interface:

This example shows how to enable a TLV on an interface when it has been disabled.

Switch# configure terminal

Switch(config)# interface GigabitEthernet0/1

Switch(config-if)# lldp med-tlv-select inventory management

Switch(config-if)# end

Monitoring and Maintaining LLDP and LLDP-MED

To monitor and maintain LLDP and LLDP-MED on your device, perform one or more of these tasks, beginning in privileged EXEC mode.