Method for synchronizing local clocks in a distributed computer network
US8463945B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 2, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jun 11, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 13, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L7/10
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for synchronizing local clocks in a distributed computer network, wherein end systems and switches of the network executes the method as a synchronization state machine, which uses three different frame types. The states in the state machine belong to an unsynchronized or to a synchronized set of states. All end systems being configured as Synchronization Master periodically send coldstart frames in one of the unsynchronized states, all end systems being configured as Synchronization Master react to the reception of a coldstart frame by sending a coldstart acknowledgment frame a first timeout after the reception of the coldstart frame on all replicated communication channels. First timeout is reset when a consecutive coldstart frame is received before the coldstart acknowledge is sent, and all Synchronization Masters react to the reception of a coldstart acknowledgment frame by starting a second timeout and enter a synchronized state when the second timeout expires.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.