Network Discovery / Management ============================== .. toctree:: :maxdepth: 1 :hidden: :includehidden: LLDP STP SNMP SSDP UPNP This section introduces essential protocols for discovering, managing, and organizing networked devices. These protocols play a critical role in topology awareness, automation, and network resiliency. .. list-table:: :widths: 15 65 20 :header-rows: 1 * - Protocol - Description - Use Case * - LLDP (Link Layer Discovery Protocol) - IEEE vendor-neutral Layer 2 discovery protocol similar to CDP. *Used to identify and learn about connected devices.* - Device discovery in multi-vendor environments. * - STP (Spanning Tree Protocol) - Prevents Layer 2 loops by detecting redundant links and blocking them. *Ensures a loop-free topology.* - Loop prevention in Ethernet networks. * - SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) - Application-layer protocol for monitoring and managing devices. *Provides real-time data for alerts, logs, and analytics.* - Centralized network management and monitoring. * - SSDP (Simple Service Discovery Protocol) - Part of UPnP used to discover network services. *Uses HTTP over UDP multicast.* - Auto-discovery in home/smart networks. * - UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) - Enables devices to discover each other and establish services automatically. *Common in home networks, IoT.* - Seamless service discovery and configuration. .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: LLDP **RFC:** IEEE 802.1AB **Main Features:** - Standards-based Layer 2 discovery protocol - Exchanged between directly connected devices - Vendor-neutral and widely supported **Use Cases:** - Network discovery in multi-vendor environments - Monitoring device connections and neighbors - Displaying neighbor details on switch interfaces **Alternative Protocols:** - CDP – Cisco proprietary but similar - SNMP – Device-level monitoring .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Let us learn more about LLDP:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section ` * :ref:`Terminology ` * :ref:`Version Info ` * :ref:`LLDP Version&IEEE Details ` * :ref:`LLDP Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 ` * :ref:`LLDP Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 ` * :ref:`LLDP Protocol Packet Details ` * :ref:`LLDP Usecases ` * :ref:`LLDP Basic Features ` * :ref:`LLDP Feature : Vendor Neutral Protocol ` * :ref:`LLDP Feature : Uses TLV Structure ` * :ref:`LLDP Feature : Layer 2 Protocol ` * :ref:`LLDP Feature : Periodic Advertisements ` * :ref:`LLDP Feature : One Way Communication ` * :ref:`LLDP Feature : Supports Optional TLVs ` * :ref:`LLDP Feature : Low Overhead ` * :ref:`LLDP Feature : Fast Link Detection ` * :ref:`LLDP Feature : Supports Multiple Neighbors ` * :ref:`LLDP Feature : Extensible For Custom ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./LLDP.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "LLDP" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: STP **RFC:** IEEE 802.1D **Main Features:** - Prevents Layer 2 Ethernet loops by blocking redundant paths - Elects root bridge and calculates shortest path trees - Supports RSTP and MSTP variants for faster convergence and scalability **Use Cases:** - Loop prevention in Ethernet networks - Managing redundant switch links - Avoiding broadcast storms and network downtime **Alternative Protocols:** - RSTP (802.1w) – Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol - MSTP (802.1s) – Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Let us learn more about STP:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section ` * :ref:`Terminology ` * :ref:`Version Info ` * :ref:`STP Version&IEEE Details ` * :ref:`STP Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 ` * :ref:`STP Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 ` * :ref:`STP Protocol Packet Details ` * :ref:`STP Usecases ` * :ref:`STP Basic Features ` * :ref:`STP Feature : Loop Prevention ` * :ref:`STP Feature : Redundancy Support ` * :ref:`STP Feature : Automatic Topology Change Handling ` * :ref:`STP Feature : Bridge Election ` * :ref:`STP Feature : Port Roles Assignment ` * :ref:`STP Feature : Path Cost Calculation ` * :ref:`STP Feature : Timer Based Operation ` * :ref:`STP Feature : Dynamic Reconfiguration ` * :ref:`STP Feature : Standardized Protocol ` * :ref:`STP Feature : Layer 2 Operation ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./STP.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "STP" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: SNMP **RFC:** RFC 1157, RFC 1901-1908, RFC 3411-3418 **Main Features:** - Monitors and manages network devices at application layer - Versions: v1/v2c (community strings), v3 (secure) - Supports real-time alerts, logging, and analytics **Use Cases:** - Centralized network device monitoring - Fault and performance management - Network automation and configuration **Alternative Protocols:** - NetFlow/IPFIX – Traffic flow monitoring - REST APIs – Modern device management .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Let us learn more about SNMP:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section ` * :ref:`Terminology ` * :ref:`Version Info ` * :ref:`SNMP Version&RFC Details ` * :ref:`SNMP Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 ` * :ref:`SNMP Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 ` * :ref:`SNMP Protocol Packet Details ` * :ref:`SNMP Usecases ` * :ref:`SNMP Basic Features ` * :ref:`SNMP Feature : Simple Protocol ` * :ref:`SNMP Feature : Standardized Communication ` * :ref:`SNMP Feature : Agent-Manager Model ` * :ref:`SNMP Feature : MIB (Management Information Base) ` * :ref:`SNMP Feature : Polling and Traps ` * :ref:`SNMP Feature : Scalability ` * :ref:`SNMP Feature : Cross-Platform Support ` * :ref:`SNMP Feature : Security (SNMPv3) ` * :ref:`SNMP Feature : Extensibility ` * :ref: `SNMP Feature : Low Overhead ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./SNMP.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "SNMP" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: SSDP **RFC:** Part of UPnP (no standalone RFC) **Main Features:** - Enables devices to announce and discover services - Uses HTTP over UDP multicast (port 1900) - Common in consumer electronics and smart devices **Use Cases:** - Auto-discovery of smart TVs, printers, speakers - Home network service registration **Alternative Protocols:** - mDNS – Multicast DNS for local discovery - DNS-SD – DNS Service Discovery .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Let us learn more about SSDP:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section ` * :ref:`Terminology ` * :ref:`Version Info ` * :ref:`SSDP Version&IEEE Details ` * :ref:`SSDP Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 ` * :ref:`SSDP Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 ` * :ref:`SSDP Protocol Packet Details ` * :ref:`SSDP Usecases ` * :ref:`SSDP Basic Features ` * :ref:`SSDP Feature : Discovery Protocol ` * :ref:`SSDP Feature : Uses UDP Multicast ` * :ref:`SSDP Feature : HTTP Like Messaging ` * :ref:`SSDP Feature : Zero Configuration ` * :ref:`SSDP Feature : Supports Both Search And Advertisement ` * :ref:`SSDP Feature : Lightweight Protocol ` * :ref:`SSDP Feature : Time To Live Control ` * :ref:`SSDP Feature : Extensible ` * :ref:`SSDP Feature : Part Of UPNP Stack ` * :ref:`SSDP Feature : Cross Platform ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./SSDP.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "SSDP" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: UPnP **RFC:** Defined by UPnP Forum (no standalone RFC) **Main Features:** - Facilitates device/service discovery and configuration - Supports dynamic IP assignment, port forwarding, eventing - Includes SSDP, SOAP, GENA protocols **Use Cases:** - Home IoT auto-configuration - Plug-and-play media/network devices - Gaming consoles, NAT traversal **Alternative Protocols:** - Zeroconf / mDNS – Apple Bonjour style discovery - DHCP + DNS-SD – Manual provisioning .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Let us learn more about UPnP:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section ` * :ref:`Terminology ` * :ref:`Version Info ` * :ref:`UPNP Version&IEEE Details ` * :ref:`UPNP Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 ` * :ref:`UPNP Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 ` * :ref:`UPNP Protocol Packet Details ` * :ref:`UPNP Usecases ` * :ref:`UPNP Basic Features ` * :ref:`UPNP Feature : Zero Configuration ` * :ref:`UPNP Feature : Auto Discovery ` * :ref:`UPNP Feature : Device Control ` * :ref:`UPNP Feature : Service Advertisement ` * :ref:`UPNP Feature : Event Notification ` * :ref:`UPNP Feature : Content Sharing ` * :ref:`UPNP Feature : Port Mapping ` * :ref:`UPNP Feature : Standardized Architecture ` * :ref:`UPNP Feature : Extensibility ` * :ref:`UPNP Feature : Cross Platform Support ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./UPNP.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "UPnP"