Method and apparatus for transmitting clock packet

An apparatus for transmitting a clock packet, wherein the apparatus is a first network element, the apparatus comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• memory coupled to the processor and for storing programming instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to:
• generate a first clock packet comprising a first source identity and first clock information, the first source identity for indicating a device that provides the first clock information,
• send the first clock packet to a second network element forming a ring network with the first network element,
• receive a second clock packet sent by the second network element, wherein the second clock packet comprises a second source identity and second clock information, the second source identity for indicating a device that provides the second clock information, and
• skip tracking the second clock information after determining that the second source identity is the same as the first source identity.

A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium of a first network element, the non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the first network element to:

• generate a first clock packet comprising a first source identity and first clock information, the first source identity for indicating a device that provides the first clock information;
• send the first clock packet to a second network element forming a ring network with the first network element;
• receive a second clock packet sent by the second network element, wherein the second clock packet comprises a second source identity and second clock information, the second source identity for indicating a device that provides the second clock information;
• and
• skip tracking the second clock information after determining that the second source identity is the same as the first source identity.

A system for transmitting a clock packet, the system comprising:

• a first network element comprising:
• a processor, and memory coupled to the processor and for storing programming instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the first network element to:
• generate a first clock packet comprising a first source identity and first clock information, the first source identity for indicating a device that provides the first clock information;
• send the first clock packet to a second network element forming a ring network with the first network element;
• receive a second clock packet sent by the second network element, wherein the second clock packet comprises a second source identity and second clock information, the second source identity for indicating a device that provides the second clock information;
• and
• skip tracking the second clock information after determining that the second source identity is the same as the first source identity.