Based on IEEE 802.1AB "Link Layer Discovery Protocol", LLDP-MED extends the standard to specifically focus on the needs of VoIP to allow simplified provisioning, ease of administration and several valuable new discovery capabilities. The new LLDP-MED standard enables the following key values:
Auto-discovery of Quality of Service LAN policies (such as VLAN, Layer 2 Priority and Diffserv settings), leading to "plug and play" VoIP networking.
Device location discovery, critical to reporting location of the end user in emergency calling and other location dependant applications, as well as maintaining integrity of the location database.
Extended and automated power management of Power over Ethernet endpoints, including fine-grained power budgeting and priority settings.
Inventory management, allowing network administrators to track their VoIP devices, and determine their characteristics (manufacturer, software and hardware versions, serial / asset number).
"Fast start" mechanisms, considered important for VoIP devices to come fully into service in a timely fashion.
“LLDP-MED standardizes VoIP discovery on the network to greatly simplify management and facilitate integration into any network environment,” said Jim Davies, Chief Technology Officer, Mitel. “This allows customers to implement VoIP based on open standards, without having to lock into a one vendor environment.”
Mitel aligns with other industry leaders to provide powerful, flexible and robust solutions to meet the needs of any environment and any customer. With IP communications products designed to work on virtually any LAN/WAN infrastructure, Mitel customers have the choice and flexibility to easily customize solutions to their individual business needs.
LLDP-MED was formally ratified through the TIA standards process in November, and is expected to be published as ANSI/TIA-1057 shortly. Mitel, as Editor of the specification, led the LLDP-MED standard definition and adoption effort in collaboration with other industry vendors.