Ieee 1588; Introduction - Net research NetProbe 2000 User Manual

13.5 IEEE 1588

13.5.1 Introduction

IEEE 1588 provides a standard protocol for synchronizing clocks connected via a multicast capable network such as
Ethernet. It defines a protocol known as the precision time protocol (PTP). The PTP protocol specifies how real-time PTP
clocks in the system synchronize with each other. These clocks are organized into a master-slave synchronization
hierarchy with the grandmaster clock denoted as the highest quality clock in the network. The PTP process consists of
two phases: establishing the master-slave hierarchy and synchronizing the clocks.
The Best Master Clock (BMC) algorithm automatically determines which clock is the highest quality clock within the
network. The BMCA allows a clock to automatically take over the duties of Grandmaster when the previous
Grandmaster gets disconnected, or for any reason is unable to continue as Grandmaster.
Slave clocks synchronize to the 1588 Grandmaster by using bidirectional multicast communication. All slave nodes
exchange timing messages with their master in the hierarchy and use timing information to adjust their clocks to the
Grandmaster.
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