Communication of network time synchronization

A method of distributing time signal synchronization signals in a programmable communication network, comprising:

• determining devices on the programmable communication network;
• determining device capabilities of the devices on the programmable communication network;
• determining that there are compatible settings between at least two of the devices on the programmable communication network;
• selecting the compatible settings;
• applying the compatible settings to cause a distribution of a time signal from a time signal source to the at least two of the devices on the programmable communication network;
• and
• reporting incompatibility of at least one device of the devices on the programmable communication network with the compatible settings, wherein the settings of the at least one device is incompatible with the compatible settings;
• or
• changing a setting of the at least one device to be compatible with the compatible settings due to the at least one device being incompatible with the compatible settings.

A system for distributing time signal synchronization signals in a programmable communication network, comprising:

• a configurable communication device in a data plane of the programmable communication network;
• and
• a network controller in a control plane, in communication with a plurality of network devices that includes the configurable communication device, wherein the network controller is configured to:
• receive a configuration file;
• determine device capabilities of the plurality of network devices;
• determine that the configurable communication device is on a correct clock domain of the programmable communication network;
• and
• complete configuration of time synchronization settings of the plurality of network devices to cause distribution of a time signal from a time source to the plurality of network devices,
• wherein the network controller is configured to correct a clock domain issue of another device of the plurality of network devices before completing configuration of the time synchronization settings.