Neighbor Discovery

Neighbor Discovery refers to mechanisms that allow devices to identify neighbouring systems within a network and obtain information about their reachability or addressing. The specific functionality depends on the network protocol being used. In IPv6, the Neighbor Discovery Protocol, or NDP, performs key functions such as link-layer address resolution, router discovery and neighbour reachability detection. In other network environments, protocols such as LLDP can be used to discover directly connected network components and their capabilities. Neighbor Discovery therefore supports automated communication and management across modern network infrastructures. The general term describes the discovery of neighbouring systems and should be distinguished from the specific IPv6 Neighbor Discovery Protocol.