PTP IEEE 1588v2 — grandmaster, boundary, transparent clocks

PTP Protocol Fundamentals

Precision Time Protocol IEEE 1588v2 distributes precise time from a reference clock to all network elements over packet-based transport networks. PTP uses a master-slave hierarchy where a grandmaster clock at the top provides the reference time, and slave clocks at end nodes discipline their local oscillators to track the grandmaster. The protocol exchanges four message types — Sync, Follow-Up, Delay-Request, and Delay-Response — to measure the one-way delay between master and slave. By correcting for this network delay, the slave clock can align its time to the grandmaster with…