Network timing topology discovery and visualization using Interior Gateway Protocols

A method comprising steps of:

• receiving Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) messages from one or more network elements in a network;
• extracting timing information from any of the IGP messages where the timing information includes timing reference for a given network element for any of frequency, phase, and time;
• and
• storing the timing information.

A network element comprising:

• a plurality of ports interconnected via a switching fabric;
• and
• at least one processor configured to
• receive Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) messages from one or more network elements in a network,
• extract timing information from any of the IGP messages where the timing information includes timing reference for a given network element for any of frequency, phase, and time, and
• store the timing information.