Installing Link Layer Topology Discovery (LLTD) on Windows XP

In one of my previous articles – “Hide your Vista Computer on the Network” I wrote about what the network map is in Vista.
The network map on a computer running Windows Vista shows a graphical view of the computers and devices on your network and how they are connected by using the LLTD protocol. LLTD allows a Windows Vista PC to accurately map the topology of your home network. In order to have Windows Vista/2008 computers appear in the network map you need not do anything special. But in order to discover computers running Windows XP, you need to install the LLTD Responder component.
You can download the update from the following link:
Link Layer Topology Discovery (LLTD) Responder (KB922120)
Network Map in Windows Vista does not display computers that are running Windows XP – 922120 http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=922120
After you download the update, double-click on the file to run it. The installation finishes. It seems that you are not required to reboot in order to finish the installation.

After the installation you will see your Windows XP computers appear in the Vista network map.

Note: You might be able to have your Windows Server 2003 servers displayed in the network map as well. Read my “Installing Link Layer Topology Discovery (LLTD) on Windows Server 2003” article for more info on that.
After having your devices set up and available on the network map, if you move your pointer over one of the devices on the map you will see its IP address and also its MAC address.  This cool feature is very helpful if you are troubleshooting or trying to isolate a machine quick and easy.

If you need greater information on the device you can right click on them in the network map and you will have several options including enabling or disabling and getting the properties. Note this only works with some devices and not with all computers.
Note: If you have an Xbox360 system, you can have it seen on the network map as well. Check this link for more information:
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2006/1030-novemberupdate-completelist.htm
Got a question? Post it on our XP & Windows 2000 Professional Forum!