Time synchronization in cluster systems
US8169856B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 24, 2008 |
| Grant date | May 1, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 23, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04J3/0667
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Techniques are described herein for synchronizing cluster time. According to one technique, a master node is appointed in a cluster. Other “slave” nodes periodically synchronize their clocks with the master node. To synchronize its clock with the master node, a slave node sends a timestamped message to the master node, which also timestamps the message and sends the message back to the slave node, which then timestamps the message again. Based on the timestamps, the slave node is able to determine the difference between the master node's clock's time and slave node's clock's time, compensating for the message travel time between master node and slave node. Depending on various circumstances, and based on the determined difference, the slave node adjusts its clock so that the time indicated by the slave node's clock at least begins to approach more closely the time indicated by the master node's clock.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.