PTP 1-step boundary clock without hardware synchronization

A method performed in a network device for transmitting a Precision Time Protocol (PTP) Sync message, the method comprising the network device:

• generating the Sync message for processing in a packet processing pipeline;
• storing a time value (T1′) in an originTimestamp data field of the Sync message that represents when the Sync message entered the packet processing pipeline;
• computing a time value (Tduration) that represents an amount of time the Sync message spent in the packet processing pipeline;
• storing the time value Tduration in a correctionField data field of the Sync message;
• and
• transmitting the Sync message to a slave device, wherein storing T1′ in the originTimestamp data field includes computing a product by multiplying T1′ by a skew factor and storing the product of the multiplication in the originTimestamp data field, wherein the skew factor represents a timing difference between the counter and a master clock separate from the network device.

A network device comprising:

• one or more computer processors;
• and
• a computer-readable storage device comprising instructions for controlling the one or more computer processors to:
• generate a Precision Time Protocol (PTP) Sync message for processing in a packet processing pipeline;
• store a time value (T1′) in an originTimestamp data field of the Sync message that represents when the Sync message entered the packet processing pipeline;
• compute a time value (Tduration) that represents an amount of time the Sync message spent in the packet processing pipeline;
• store the time value Tduration in a correctionField data field of the Sync message;
• and
• transmit the Sync message to a slave device, wherein storing T1′ in the originTimestamp data field includes computing a product by multiplying T1′ by a skew factor and storing the product of the multiplication in the originTimestamp data field, wherein the skew factor represents a timing difference between the counter and a master clock separate from the network device.