LLDP agent

When you enable LLDP on the switch, it is automatically enabled on all data plane interfaces. You can customize this behavior by manually enabling/disabling support on each interface.

Supported standards

The LLDP agent supports the following standards: IEEE 802.1AB-2005, Station, and Media Access Control Connectivity Discovery.

Operating modes

When LLDP is enabled, the switch periodically transmits an LLDP advertisement (packet) out each active port enabled for outbound LLDP transmissions and receives LLDP advertisements on each active port enabled to receive LLDP traffic.

The LLDP agent can operate in one of the following modes:

  • Transmit and receive (TxRx): This is the default setting on all ports. It enables a given port to both transmit and receive LLDP packets and to store the data from received (inbound) LLDP packets in the switch's MIB.
  • Transmit only (Tx): Enables a port to transmit LLDP packets that can be read by LLDP neighbors. However, the port drops inbound LLDP packets from LLDP neighbors without reading them. This prevents the switch from learning about LLDP neighbors on that port.
  • Receive only (Rx): Enables a port to receive and read LLDP packets from LLDP neighbors and to store the packet data in the switch's MIB. However, the port does not transmit outbound LLDP packets. This prevents LLDP neighbors from learning about the switch through that port.
  • Disabled: Disables LLDP packet transmissions and reception on a port. In this state, the switch does not use the port for either learning about LLDP neighbors or informing LLDP neighbors of its presence.

An LLDP agent operating in TxRx mode or Tx mode sends LLDP frames to its directly connected devices both periodically and when the local configuration changes.

Sending LLDP frames

Each time the LLDP operating mode of an LLDP agent changes, its LLDP protocol state machine reinitializes. A configurable reinitialization delay prevents frequent initializations caused by frequent changes to the operating mode. If you configure the reinitialization delay, an LLDP agent must wait the specified amount of time to initialize LLDP after the LLDP operating mode changes.

Receiving LLDP frames

An LLDP agent operating in TxRx mode or Rx mode confirms the validity of TLVs carried in every received LLDP frame. If the TLVs are valid, the LLDP agent saves the information and starts an aging timer. The initial value of the aging timer is equal to the TTL value in the Time To Live TLV carried in the LLDP frame. When the LLDP agent receives a new LLDP frame, the aging timer restarts. When the aging timer decreases to zero, all saved information ages out.

TLV support

By default, the agent sends and receives the following mandatory TLVs on each interface:

  • Port ID
  • Chassis ID
  • TTL

By default, the following ANSI/TIA-1057 TLVs for LLDP Media Endpoint Discovery (MED) are enabled on an agent. Sending them depends on the configuration and reception of any MED TLVs:

  • MAC/PHY status. Includes the bit rate and auto negotiation status of the link.
  • Power Via MDI: Includes Power Over Ethernet related information for supported interfaces.
  • Port description
  • System name
  • System description

  • Management address

  • System capabilities
  • Port VLAN ID

By default, the agent sends and receives the following ANSI/TIA-1057 TLVs for LLDP Media Endpoint Discovery (MED):

  • Capabilities: Indicates MED TLV capability.
  • Power Via MDI: Includes Power Over Ethernet related information.
  • Network Policy: Includes the VLAN configuration for voice application.
  • Location: Location identification information.
  • Extended Power Via MDI: Power Over Ethernet related information