Precise time management is required for running time-critical applications via a LAN.

The IEEE 1588 standard with the Precision Time Protocol (PTP) describes a procedure that determines the best master clock in a LAN and thus enables precise synchronization of the clocks in this LAN.

Devices without PTP hardware support

Devices without PTP hardware support, which only have ports absent a time stamp unit, support the PTP simple mode. This mode gives a less accurate division of time.

With these devices

Note: In the simple mode a device synchronizes itself with PTP messages received. This mode provides a precision comparable to SNTP absent other functions, such as PTP management or runtime measuring.
If you want to transport PTP time accurately through your network, only use devices with PTP hardware support on the transport paths.

Devices with PTP hardware support

Devices with PTP hardware support, which have ports with a time stamp unit, support other modes subject to the version of the time stamp unit.

The following sections relate exclusively to devices with PTP hardware support.

Note: The MACH 104 device supports PTP only on ports for data rates of 10 Mbit/s, 100 Mbit/s and 1 Gbit/s.
Note: The MACH 104 and MACH 1040 devices support a maximum sync receive rate of 8 frames/s.
Note: The MACH 1140 and MACH 1142 devices support PTP only on front ports 1 - 16.