Method and apparatus for integrating precise time protocol and media access control security in network elements

A method for transmitting a frame of data from a network device in accordance with a MAC security (MACsec) protocol, the method comprising:

• receiving the frame of data to be transmitted from the network device in accordance with the MAC security (MACsec) protocol;
• in response to the frame of data being a precise time protocol (PTP) frame,
• i) encrypting the precise time protocol (PTP) frame in accordance with the MAC security (MACsec) protocol, and
• ii) associating an identifier with the encrypted precise time protocol (PTP) frame;
• and
• transmitting the encrypted precise time protocol (PTP) frame from the network device at a particular time, wherein transmitting the encrypted precise time protocol (PTP) frame from the network device at the particular time comprises
• based on the identifier associated with the encrypted precise time protocol (PTP) frame, generating a time stamp indicating the particular time that the encrypted precise time protocol (PTP) frame is transmitted from the network device, wherein the time stamp is transmitted from the network device along with the encrypted precise time protocol (PTP) frame.

A computer program for transmitting a frame of data from a network device in accordance with a MAC security (MACsec) protocol, the computer program comprising instructions tangibly stored on a computer readable medium, instructions to cause a processor to:

• receive the frame of data to be transmitted from the network device in accordance with the MAC security (MACsec) protocol;
• in response to the frame of data being a precise time protocol (PTP) frame,
• i) encrypt the precise time protocol (PTP) frame in accordance with the MAC security (MACsec) protocol, and
• ii) associate an identifier with the encrypted precise time protocol (PTP) frame;
• and
• transmit the encrypted precise time protocol (PTP) frame from the network device at a particular time, wherein the instructions to transmit the encrypted precise time protocol (PTP) frame from the network device at the particular time comprises instructions to
• based on the identifier associated with the encrypted precise time protocol (PTP) frame, generate a time stamp indicating the particular time that the encrypted precise time protocol (PTP) frame is transmitted from the network device, wherein the time stamp is transmitted from the network device along with the encrypted precise time protocol (PTP) frame.