40 - 238 CCNA 2: Routers and Routing Basics v3.1 Instructor Guide – Module 4 Copyright © 2004, Cisco Systems, Inc.
Troubleshoot remote terminal connections
4.1 Discovering and Connecting to Neighbors
Essential Labs: 4.1.4 and 4.1.6
Optional Labs: None
Core TIs: All
Optional TIs: none
Course-Level Claim: Students can use embedded data-link layer functionality to perform
network neighbor discovery and analysis from the router console.
Hands-on skills: none

4.1.1 Introduction to CDP

CDP is a Cisco proprietary protocol that is used for Layer 2 troubleshooting and network
documentation. CDP is used to acquire protocol and platform information from neighboring
devices. It is enabled by default on Cisco devices and requires all media that is used to be
Subnetwork Address Protocol (SNAP) enabled. Most media is SNAP enabled.
During the boot-up process, each Cisco device sends CDP advertisements to a multicast
address to collect information from its neighbors. These advertisements are periodically
repeated so that updated information can be gathered. CDP advertisements are also used by
the receiving devices to learn about the sender. CDP information is dynamic. It is constantly
updated through periodic advertisements. Reporting devices provide a Time-to-Live (TTL)
value for the data.
CDP operates at Layer 2 and is upper layer independent. Review Figure 1 with students. CDP
allows each Cisco device to collect information from its neighbors regardless of the Layer 3
protocols the devices are configured to use. Discuss the following characteristics of CDP:
CDP runs on all Cisco devices such as routers, switches, and bridges.
CDP is Cisco proprietary.
CDP is upper-layer independent.
CDP information is exchanged only by directly-connected neighbors.
Students may not be familiar with multicasting. A brief explanation may be required at this
point. The following link provides information on Cisco IP multicast implementation.
http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/732/Tech/multicast