A method for synchronizing clocks in a network, the method performed by a controller of a first node having a first transceiver connected to a second node having a second transceiver by a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber, the method comprising: a) receiving a control message, containing an instruction to send to the second node a symmetric network synchronizing protocol clock synchronizing message; b) subsequent to receiving the control message, determining a one way asymmetric propagation delay associated with the first optical fiber; and c) transmitting the clock synchronizing message, to the second node over the first optical fiber, with a correction value determined in accordance with the determined one way asymmetric propagation delay; wherein d) the transceivers (10, 50) of both the first node and the second node comprise a 2x2 switch (11,51) for switching a connection from either of the pair of optical fibers (21,31) and a transmit portion of the transceiver and a receive portion of the transceiver, e) wherein determining the asymmetric propagation delay comprises: e1) transmitting in a normal mode of operation a timing message to the second node on the first optical fiber; and changing the mode of operation of the transceiver of the first node from the normal mode of operation to a second mode of operation to allow reception of a response to the transmitted timing message on the first optical fiber, wherein changing the mode of operation further comprises switching the state of the 2×2 switch between the transmit step and the receive step such that both the transmitted timing message and the response to the transmitted timing message traverse the same optical fiber; and e2) determining the one way asymmetric delay for the first optical fiber in accordance with a received response to the transmitted timing message; and e3) wherein determining the asymmetric propagation delay further comprises reverting the mode of operation from the second mode of operation to the normal mode of operation after receiving the response to the transmitted timing message; and f) while in the second mode of operation, buffering traffic data to pause the transmission of traffic data to the second node over the first fiber. a) receiving a control message, containing an instruction to send to the second node a symmetric network synchronizing protocol clock synchronizing message; b) subsequent to receiving the control message, determining a one way asymmetric propagation delay associated with the first optical fiber; and c) transmitting the clock synchronizing message, to the second node over the first optical fiber, with a correction value determined in accordance with the determined one way asymmetric propagation delay; wherein d) the transceivers (10, 50) of both the first node and the second node comprise a 2x2 switch (11,51) for switching a connection from either of the pair of optical fibers (21,31) and a transmit portion of the transceiver and a receive portion of the transceiver, e) wherein determining the asymmetric propagation delay comprises: e1) transmitting in a normal mode of operation a timing message to the second node on the first optical fiber; and changing the mode of operation of the transceiver of the first node from the normal mode of operation to a second mode of operation to allow reception of a response to the transmitted timing message on the first optical fiber, wherein changing the mode of operation further comprises switching the state of the 2×2 switch between the transmit step and the receive step such that both the transmitted timing message and the response to the transmitted timing message traverse the same optical fiber; and e2) determining the one way asymmetric delay for the first optical fiber in accordance with a received response to the transmitted timing message; and e3) wherein determining the asymmetric propagation delay further comprises reverting the mode of operation from the second mode of operation to the normal mode of operation after receiving the response to the transmitted timing message; and e1) transmitting in a normal mode of operation a timing message to the second node on the first optical fiber; and changing the mode of operation of the transceiver of the first node from the normal mode of operation to a second mode of operation to allow reception of a response to the transmitted timing message on the first optical fiber, wherein changing the mode of operation further comprises switching the state of the 2×2 switch between the transmit step and the receive step such that both the transmitted timing message and the response to the transmitted timing message traverse the same optical fiber; and e2) determining the one way asymmetric delay for the first optical fiber in accordance with a received response to the transmitted timing message; and e3) wherein determining the asymmetric propagation delay further comprises reverting the mode of operation from the second mode of operation to the normal mode of operation after receiving the response to the transmitted timing message; and f) while in the second mode of operation, buffering traffic data to pause the transmission of traffic data to the second node over the first fiber.