184 Brocade ICX 6650 Administration Guide
53-1002600-01
LLDP-MED overview
8

Benefits of LLDP

LLDP provides the following benefits:
•Network Management:
•Simplifies the use of and enhances the ability of network management tools in
multi-vendor environments
•Enables discovery of accurate physical network topologies such as which devices are
neighbors and through which ports they connect
•Enables discovery of stations in multi-vendor environments
•Network Inventory Data:
•Supports optional system name, system description, system capabilities and management
address
•System description can contain the device product name or model number, version of
hardware type, and operating system
•Provides device capability, such as switch, router, or WLAN access point
•Network troubleshooting:
•Information generated by LLDP can be used to detect speed and duplex mismatches
•Accurate topologies simp lify troubleshooting within enterprise networks
•Can discover devices with misconfigured or unreachable IP addresses
LLDP-MED overview
LLDP-MED is an extension to LLDP. This protocol enables advanced LLDP features in a Voice over
IP (VoIP) network. Whereas LLDP enables network discovery between Network Connectivity
devices, LLDP-MED enables network discovery between Network Connectivity devices and media
Endpoints such as, IP telephones, softphones, VoIP gateways and conference bridges
.Figure 12 demonstrates LLDP-MED connectivity.