PTP: Ethernet transport

Precision Time Protocol (PTP) is supported over IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet links on ACX Series routers. This functionality is supported in compliance with the IEEE 1588-2008 specification. PTP over Ethernet enables effective implementation of packet-based technology that enables the operator to deliver synchronization services on packet-based mobile backhaul networks that are configured in Ethernet rings. Deployment of PTP at every hop in an Ethernet ring using the Ethernet encapsulation method enables robust, redundant, and high-performance topologies to be created that enables a highly-precise time and phase synchronization to be obtained. For the base station vendors that support only packet interfaces using Ethernet encapsulation for PTP packets for time and phase synchronization, you can configure any node (an ACX Series router) that is directly connected to base station to use the Ethernet encapsulation method for PTP on a primary port to support a packet-based timing capability. A primary node is the router that functions as the PTP server where the primary clock is located and a client node is the router that functions as the PTP client where the client clock is located. PTP over Ethernet encapsulation also facilitates an easier, optimal network deployment model than PTP over IPv4. Because PTP over Ethernet uses multicast addresses, the client node automatically learns about the primary nodes in the network. Also, the client node is able to immediately receive the multicast messages from the primary node and can begin sending messages to the primary node without the need for any provisioning configuration.