C H A P T E R
4-1
Cisco ME-3600X-24CX Series Switch Chassis Configuration Guide
OL-27620-01
4
Configuring Clocking and Timing
Clock synchronization is important for a variety of applications, including synchronization of radio cell
towers. While legacy TDM protocols incorporate timing features, packet-switched networks such as
Ethernet do not natively include these features. The Cisco ME 3600X 24CX Series Switch supports
legacy TDM technologies while supporting a variety of technologies that distribute clocking information
over packet-switched networks.
The following sections describe the clocking and timing features available on the Cisco ME 3600X
24CX Series Switch.
•
Network Clocking Overview
•
Configuring Clocking and Timing
•
Clocking Sample Configurations
Network Clocking Overview
Clocking is typically distributed from the core network outward to the BTS or Node B at the network
edge. The Cisco ME 3600X 24CX Series Switch receives and transmits clocking information using any
of the following ports:
•
T1/E1
•
GigabitEthernet
•
BITS/SYNC port
•
1PPS
•
10Mhz
•
ToD
The Cisco ME 3600X 24CX Series Switch supports the following clocking types:
•
Precision Timing Protocol (PTP)
•
Synchronous Ethernet
Precision Timing Protocol (PTP)
The Cisco ME 3600X 24CX Series Switch supports the Precision Time Protocol (PTP) as defined by the
IEEE 1588-2008 standard. PTP provides for accurate time synchronization on over packet-switched
networks. Nodes within a PTP network can act in one of the following roles: