Inter-Packet Gap Network Clock Synchronization

A method comprising:

• adding a clock synchronization data to a gap between a plurality of Ethernet packets in a data stream, wherein the clock synchronization data comprises:
• a timestamp;
• a first bit that indicates whether the clock synchronization data is a request or an acknowledgement;
• and
• a second bit that indicates a requested operational mode.

An Ethernet node comprising:

• at least one processor configured to implement a method comprising:
• recognizing the reception of a data stream from an upstream node, wherein the data stream comprises a plurality of Ethernet packets and a synchronization request comprising a timestamp;
• synchronizing a clock with the timestamp;
• and
• promoting the transmission of a response to the upstream node,
• wherein the data stream has the same bandwidth as a data stream does not have the synchronization request and the timestamp.