Protocol agnostic On-Path Supports

Abstract

Targeting the distribution of accurate frequency and time references across Packet Switched Networks (PSNs), the IEEE Std 1588TM-2008 (a.k.a. 1588V2 or PTPV2) standard specifies network infrastructure components intended to reduce the impact of network elements located between the Grandmaster clock and Slave clocks. Also referred to as On-Path Supports (OPS), these PTPV2 build-in network components are the Boundary Clock (BC) and the Transparent Clock (TC). After briefly discussing on both components relatively to their strengths and weaknesses, this paper focuses on the challenging environment imposed by the next generation mobile standard, namely the 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE). Addressing security concerns, this standard particularly recommends the use of IPSec tunneling which forbids any use of TCs and BCs. Facing such a challenge, this document proposes innovative protocol-agnostic On-Path Supports which can be seen as complementary to the OPSs of PTPV2.