JDisc has released a new version of its network inventory and documentation product JDisc Discovery.

We have improved our products in three different areas. A new reporting mode enables IT consulting and service providers to leave a read-only version with the discovered data at the customer at no cost. JDisc extends its device detection with every new build and this release is no exception. Support for H3C and new HP switches has been added as well as support for new Wyse terminals. The biggest and possibly most important change is the enhanced network topology discovery. Up to version 2.8, JDisc used the CDP (Cisco Discovery Protocol) and LLDP (Link Layer Discovery Protocol) to build up a layer 2 topology. Unfortunately, CDP and LLDP are not supported by all switches. With JDisc Discovery 2.9, we have implemented an algorithm that is based on the MAC address forwarding database within the switches. Nearly all managed switches support the MAC forwarding table that is part of the bridge MIB (SNMP Management Information Base). Now, JDisc is able to detect the network layer 2 topology even if CDP and LLDP are not present. The MAC forwarding information gets stored within JDisc’s database and is available through our custom reports.

Lookout:
What’s coming next? We will further improve our network topology detection by making use of the spanning tree information and we are working on exciting collaborations with powerful IT solutions in the IT management space.