How to View Cisco CDP Neighbors from a Windows Client
Selene Gong
What Is Cisco CDP and Why Is It Useful?
Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP) is a Layer 2 network protocol developed by Cisco to share information about directly connected Cisco devices, including device type, software version, IP address, and interface information. It helps network administrators identify and map devices, especially in large-scale Cisco environments. However, CDP is Cisco-proprietary and typically works between Cisco devices—not directly accessible from standard Windows clients without third-party tools.
Can You Run CDP on a Windows Client?
By default, Windows operating systems do not natively support CDP. However, there are indirect methods and third-party utilities that allow visibility into CDP data:
Wireshark with Promiscuous Mode Capture CDP packets on an Ethernet interface connected to a Cisco switch.
SolarWinds Engineer’s Toolset Offers CDP Neighbor Discovery via SNMP polling.
CDP Monitor (TallSoft) A lightweight CDP sniffer designed for Windows platforms.
Port Mirroring + External Sensor Use port mirroring on a switch to reflect CDP traffic to a monitoring workstation.
How Does CDP Work with Windows in Enterprise Networks?
In most environments, network discovery from Windows clients is done using LLDP (Link Layer Discovery Protocol)—an open standard supported by both Cisco and non-Cisco devices. However:
LLDP and CDP are not interoperable.
Windows 10 and later versions support LLDP via PowerShell or NIC settings.
For full CDP visibility, use a Cisco switch or dedicated SNMP polling solution.
CDP vs LLDP: Should You Use LLDP Instead?
If you're managing a Cisco-dominant network, CDP provides more specific data, including device model, IOS version, and port descriptions. However, LLDP is more flexible across vendors.
FAQ: Cisco CDP and Windows Clients
Q1: Can you natively view CDP neighbors on Windows? No, Windows OS does not support CDP natively. You’ll need third-party tools or sniffers. Q2: What’s the best way to see CDP data from a laptop? Connect directly to a Cisco switch and run Wireshark in promiscuous mode. Q3: Is LLDP a replacement for CDP? Not exactly. LLDP is a standard alternative but lacks Cisco-specific details. Q4: Which Cisco devices support CDP? Most Cisco switches and routers support CDP, including the Catalyst 9200/9300/9500 series. Q5: Can you enable CDP over Wi-Fi? Generally no. CDP packets are Ethernet Layer 2 multicast frames and rarely traverse wireless interfaces.
Final Thoughts
While Windows does not natively support CDP, network engineers can still gain CDP visibility through packet capture tools, SNMP polling, or mirrored switch ports. If you’re managing Cisco infrastructure, consider investing in Layer 2-capable switches like the Cisco Catalyst 9300 to simplify network mapping and neighbor discovery.
Looking to upgrade your visibility across Cisco environments? Explore our full range of Cisco Switches for enterprise solutions.
