Top 10 PTP Tips

TOP 10 TIPS SERIES

 Top 10 PTP Tips

The IEEE 1588-2008 protocol (also called Precision Time Protocol or PTP) is the industry standard for distributing precise
timing and frequency over next-generation Ethernet/IP, packet-based networks.
Unlike traditional line-timed TDM networks of the past, Ethernet/IP does not provide any built-in mechanism for delivering
precise timing and frequency. IEEE 1588 is important because it restores the timing function that is lost when your network
is converted from TDM to Ethernet.
The basis of IEEE 1588 operation is that specialized IP packets carrying precise timestamped information are used to
tightly synchronize communications between a Grandmaster clock and its associated clients or slaves. This level of
synchronization is required in order to ensure the highest quality of service (QoS) for critical applications such as voice
communications, data file transfers and multi-media downloads to wireless handsets.
Use the “Top 10” tips below to help facilitate the selection of an IEEE 1588 (PTP) solution for your organization and to
ensure optimal network performance and efficiencies.

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 omply with the ITU-T Telecom Profile to achieve
C Select a Hybrid Communication Mode to yield
optimal performance and interoperability in the benefits of a combined unicast/multicast
telecommunications applications. messaging scheme between the Grandmaster
and slaves.
Comply with the ITU Telecom Profile: The ITU-T defined profile Select a hybrid communication mode: Hybrid communication
of the IEEE 1588-2008 specification has been specifically combines the best properties of multicast and unicast
optimized to support telecommunications applications such communications and minimizes excess PTP packet flow in
as wireless Mobile Backhaul, GPON and LTE. In this profile, the network. With hybrid communication, the Grandmaster
unicast capabilities selected by the ITU are better suited to clock sends out a single, multicast Announce message to all
WAN environments, as opposed to the IEEE 1588 default profile its associated clients, thereby eliminating hundreds or even
targeted at industrial Ethernet applications. thousands of duplicate PTP packets flowing through your network.
Once the client receives the multicast Announce message from

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To maximize interoperability with all ITU-T
Telecom Profile compliant Grandmaster elements,
make sure IEEE 1588 slaves seamlessly support
both 1-step and 2-step clock modes.
the Grandmaster clock, all Delay_Request and Delay_Response
messages are sent in unicast mode, which prevents each client
from having to inspect and discard extra PTP packets which are
not specifically targeted to that individual client’s address.

Support 1- and 2-step clock modes: The IEEE 1588 default profile
specifies 2-step clock operation, which means that in addition to
the initial Announce message sent from the Grandmaster clock
to its associated clients, a second Follow_up message containing
the precise timestamp information must be sent out in order to
synchronize the Grandmaster clock and its clients.
However, many newer Grandmasters and clients are designed to
operate using a more efficient 1-step clock mode. In this mode,
the precise timestamp is sent within the Announce message,
eliminating the need to send a superfluous Follow_up message.
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 se the ITU-T G.8261 standard to validate system
U
performance in an unbiased and practical
manner.
Validate system performance with standards-based methods:
G.8261, or “Timing and Synchronization Aspects in Packet
Networks”, specifies the upper limits of allowable network
jitter and wander, the minimum requirements that network
equipment at the TDM interfaces at the boundary of these packet
networks can tolerate, and the minimum requirements for the
synchronization function of network equipment. When selecting
your PTP solution, use G.8261 as your “gold standard” to ensure
that it will perform successfully when deployed in your “live” IP
network environment.
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Maximize system availability with network
elements (such as Grandmaster clocks) that
provide carrier-class redundancy.
Select IEEE 1588 network elements with carrier-class
redundancy: Carrier-class redundancy is an essential component
of any IEEE 1588 solution. While the IEEE 1588 specification does
provide for automatic recovery in the event of a Grandmaster
clock failure, it can take seconds or even minutes for clients to
“retrain” to an alternate backup Grandmaster and establish new
PTP connections or “leases” with an alternate Grandmaster (in
a unicast environment). During this retraining period, there is
a risk that voice calls may be dropped and/or data flow can be
When selecting a PTP supplier, make sure that
they provide a complete end-to-end solution
that covers all of your timing and frequency
requirements.
Select vendors that offer end-to-end solutions: A complete
PTP solution is made up of many different components,
including Grandmaster and boundary clocks, standalone or
embedded clients, a network management platform and test and
measurement tools. It’s critical when choosing a PTP supplier to
ensure that they offer a complete end-to-end solution. This helps
to eliminate the potential for finger pointing in the event of any
network synchronization problems.

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interrupted. Carrier-class PTP solutions eliminate this risk by
providing automatic switchover to redundant power and clock card  eploy comprehensive network management
D
components. This provides five-nines (99.999%) reliability and and troubleshooting tools to detect and isolate
enables the delivery of seamless, uninterrupted service to end potential problems before they impact service
users in the event of a primary Grandmaster failure. delivery.
Deploy PTP network management: Network management is the

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Select scalable Grandmaster clocks that support
1,000+ unicast clients so that they can grow
naturally with your network.
Future-proof with scalable Grandmaster clocks: Scalability is
critical cornerstone of any PTP solution. It’s essential to know
when clients are operating properly and when they are failing.
With a network management system, it will be easier to know how
and when to troubleshoot timing and frequency problems before
they affect end-user services.

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another key criteria that must be met when selecting a suitable
PTP solution, particularly when choosing a PTP Grandmaster. For  eep it simple. Minimize complexity by
K
typical mobile backhaul applications, the Grandmaster should be reducing the number of hops between the
capable of easily scaling from a few hundred to several thousand Grandmaster and its slaves for optimal
PTP clients without requiring a forklift upgrade performance and manageability.
Minimize network complexity: Designing an optimal PTP solution

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depends on keeping the network design as efficient and simple
To ensure maximum system performance, as possible. Many different approaches may be used to deliver
choose an IEEE 1588 solution that generates a precise frequency and timing across your IP backbone network,
comprehensive set of performance metrics. but the key is to reduce complexity by minimizing the number of
hops between the PTP Grandmaster and clients.
Ensure performance with a full set of metrics: Knowing that
your PTP clients are interoperating with your Grandmaster
clock just isn’t enough. Any viable PTP solution must provide
a comprehensive set of performance metrics that enable the
network service providers to determine if each client is operating
at peak performance.

Need more tips and expert advice? Visit http://www.symmetricom.com/products/ieee-1588-ptp-solutions/

or contact ExpertAdvice@symmetricom.com

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