ReversePTP: A clock synchronization scheme for software‐defined networks. (28th July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mizrahi, Tal; Moses, Yoram
• Other Names: Meirosu Catalin guestEditor.; Pentikousis Kostas guestEditor.; Kind Mario guestEditor.; Gonzalez Prieto Alberto guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: International journal of network management. Volume 26:Number 5(2016:Sep./Oct.)
• Page Start: 355
• Page End: 372
• Publication Date: 2016-07-28
• Subjects: Computer networks -- Management -- Periodicals; 004.6
• DOI: 10.1002/nem.1942
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1055-7148

Abstract

Summary: We introduceREVERSEPTP, a clock synchronization scheme for software‐defined networks (SDNs).REVERSEPTP is based on the Precision Time Protocol (PTP), but is conceptually reversed; inREVERSEPTP, all nodes (switches) in the network distribute timing information to a single software‐based central node (the SDN controller), which tracks the state of all the clocks in the network. Hence, all computations and bookkeeping are performed by the central node, whereas the 'dumb' switches are only required to periodically send it their current time. In accordance with the SDN paradigm, the 'brain' is implemented in software, makingREVERSEPTP flexible and programmable from an SDN programmer's perspective. We present theREVERSEPTP architecture and discuss how it can be used in typical SDN architectures. Our experimental evaluation of a network with 34REVERSEPTP ‐enabled nodes demonstrates the effectiveness and scalability of usingREVERSEPTP . Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Abstract : This paper introduces ReversePTP, a clock synchronization scheme for software‐defined networks (SDN). ReversePTP is based on the Precision Time Protocol (PTP), but is conceptually reversed; in ReversePTP all nodes (switches) in the network distribute timing information to a single software‐based central node (the SDN controller) that tracks the state of all the clocks in the network. In accordance with the SDN paradigm, the 'brain' is implemented in software, making ReversePTP flexible and programmable from an SDN programmer's perspective.