Patent ID: 6711411
Filing Date: 2004-03-23
Classification: H04J

Abstract:
A method of operating a synchronization network that includes a plurality of nodes, wherein reference clocks are distributed to each node in the synchronization network, the method comprising:at each of the nodes, storing a table that includes a most recent status of the synchronization network, said network synchronization status including, for all of the nodes in the network, information indicating a primary synchronization reference for each node, whether each node has one or more secondary synchronization references, a priority indication for each of the synchronization references for each node, succession of nodes through which each synchronization reference can be traced from each node to the reference, and an indication of which reference is currently being used by each node; detecting a change in synchronization status at a first node in the synchronization network; at the first node, updating the table to represent a first updated status of the synchronization network; and using a synchronization network management protocol to distribute the first updated status from the first node to other nodes in the synchronization network.