Clock distribution in a communications network

A system for distributing clocking information from a first network node to a second network node in an asynchronous packet-based network comprising:

• a clock transport means for embedding clock information into an additional bit stream;
• and
• a multiplexer means for multiplexing said additional bit stream with a primary bit stream using an out-of-band channel.

A system for distributing clocking information from a first network node to a second network node in an asynchronous packet-based network comprising:

• a demultiplexer means for demultiplexing an additional bit stream from a primary bit stream, wherein said additional bit stream is multiplexed with said primary bit stream using an out-of-band channel, said additional bit stream including clock information related to a reference clock;
• and
• clock receive means for obtaining said clock information from said additional bit stream and for generating a clock that is synchronized with said reference clock from said clock information.

A method for distributing clocking information from a first network node to a second network node in an asynchronous packet-based network comprising:

• embedding clock information related to an 8 kHz reference clock into an additional bit stream, wherein said additional bit stream includes data that has a synchronous relationship with said 8 kHz reference clock;
• and
• multiplexing said additional bit stream with a primary bit stream using an out-of-band channel.