Telecom PTP Profiles Summary



IEEE "Telecom Profile 2008"

ITU-T PTP Telecom Profile for Frequency

(G.8265.1 Annex A)

ITU-T PTP Telecom Profile for Phase/Time

(G.8275.1 Annex A)

ITU-T PTP Telecom Profile for Phase/Time

(G.8275.2 Annex A)

Latest document version:IEEE1588-2008, Annex A.9ITU-T Recommendation G.8265.1, Cor. 1, 04/2016 (full text publication)ITU-T Recommendation G.8275.1, Amd. 2, 03/2018 (full text publication)ITU-T Recommendation G.8275.2, Amd. 2, 03/2018 (full text publication)
Location:https://standards.ieee.org/standard/1588-2008.htmlhttp://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-G.8265.1/enhttp://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-G.8275.1/enhttp://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-G.8275.2/en
Objective:Frequency distribution to better than 16ppb Frequency distribution to better than 16ppb
(long term fractional frequency offset specified in G.8261.1)
Time distribution to better than ±1.5μs, over a full timing support networkTime distribution to better than ±1.5μs over a partial timing support network

Profile Identification

profileName:Recommendation for implementations in unicast networks or networks with
non-PTP bridges and routers.
This is an informal but often implemented profile, based on the "default" profile in Annex J.3.
ITU-T PTP Profile for Frequency Distribution without timing support from the network (Unicast mode)ITU-T PTP profile for phase/time distribution with full timing support from the networkITU-T PTP profile for phase/time distribution with partial timing support from the network
profileVersion:1.01.22.11.0
profileIdentifier:  00-1B-19-00-01-0000-19-A7-00-01-0200-19-A7-01-02-0100-19-A7-02-01-00
Specified by:Precise Networked Clock Synchronization Working Group of the IM/ST Committee of the IEEEITU-TITU-TITU-T
Location:https://standards.ieee.org/standard/1588-2008.htmlwww.itu.intwww.itu.intwww.itu.int

PTP Options

Permitted NodesOrdinary clocks (i.e. Grandmasters, slave-only clocks), boundary clocks, transparent clocksOrdinary clocks (i.e. Grandmasters, slave-only clocks)Ordinary clocks (i.e. Grandmasters, slave-only clocks), boundary clocks, end-to-end transparent clocksOrdinary clocks (i.e. Grandmasters, slave-only clocks), boundary clocks
Prohibited NodesNoneBoundary clocks, transparent clocksPeer-to-peer transparent clocksNone. Transparent Clocks are for further study.
Transport MechanismsNot specified.
Any valid unicast transport mechanism may be used, e.g. Annexes D to I of IEEE1588
Both masters and slaves must support IEEE1588-2008 Annex D IPv4/UDP stack
Both masters and slaves may support IEEE1588-2008 Annex E IPv6/UDP stack
Required: IEEE802.3 Ethernet, as per IEEE1588-2008 Annex F.
The use of VLAN tags is not allowed.
Other transport mechanisms (e.g. IP/UDP as in Annexes D & E) are for further study.
Both masters and slaves must support IEEE1588-2008 Annex D IPv4/UDP stack
Both masters and slaves may support IEEE1588-2008 Annex E IPv6/UDP stack
Multicast or UnicastAll messages are sent in unicast.
Unicast negotiation is used by default, but a management procedure could be used.
All messages are sent in unicast.
Unicast negotiation is enabled by default (see details below).
Full multicast operation, using both of the addresses noted in IEEE1588-2008 Annex F
Unicast is not permitted.
Both masters and slaves must support full unicast operation
(see details below)
BMCADefault BMCA, as specified in clause 9.3.2.Static BMCA specified (see below)Alternate BMCA specified (see below)Alternate BMCA specified (see below)
Path Delay MeasurementUses delay_request/response mechanism by default.
Peer delay mechanism is optional.
Uses delay_request/response mechanism, if required (i.e. for two-way operation)
Peer delay mechanism must not be used.
Uses delay_request/response mechanism.
Peer delay mechanism must not be used.
Uses delay_request/response mechanism, if required (i.e. for two-way operation)
Peer delay mechanism must not be used.
PTP ManagementOptionalNot specified in this version of the profile.Not specified in this version of the profile.Not specified in this version of the profile.
Clock IdentityStandard PTP behaviour.EUI-64 (as specified in clause 7.5.2.2.2 of IEEE1588-2008)EUI-64 (as specified in clause 7.5.2.2.2 of IEEE1588-2008)EUI-64 (as specified in clause 7.5.2.2.2 of IEEE1588-2008)
Message TypesUsed: Announce, Sync, Follow-up, Delay_Req, Delay_Resp, Signaling
Not used: Pdelay_Req, Pdelay_Resp, Pdelay_Resp_Follow_Up
The use of Management messages is permitted.
Used: Announce, Sync, Follow-up, Delay_Req, Delay_Resp, Signaling
Not used: Pdelay_Req, Pdelay_Resp, Pdelay_Resp_Follow_Up
The use of Management messages is for further study.
Used: Announce, Sync, Follow-up, Delay_Req, Delay_Resp
Not used: Pdelay_Req, Pdelay_Resp, Pdelay_Resp_Follow_Up
The use of Signaling and Management messages is for further study.
Used: Announce, Sync, Follow-up, Delay_Req, Delay_Resp, Signaling
Not used: Pdelay_Req, Pdelay_Resp, Pdelay_Resp_Follow_Up
The use of  Management messages is for further study.
One-step and Two-step clockStandard PTP behaviour.Master may support either one-step or two-step clocks, or both.
Slaves must support both one-step and two-step clocks, without configuration.
Clocks may transmit messages using either one-step or two-step modes.
Clocks must be capable of receiving and handling messages from both one-step and two-step clocks, without configuration.
Clocks may transmit messages using either one-step or two-step modes.
Clocks must be capable of receiving and handling messages from both one-step and two-step clocks, without configuration.
One-way and Two-way OperationStandard PTP behaviour.Masters must support both one-way and two-way operation.
Slaves may support either one-way or two-way, or both.
Only two-way operation is permitted.Masters must support both one-way and two-way operation.
Slaves may support either one-way or two-way, or both.
SecurityNot mentioned.For further study.
IEEE1588-2008 Annex K experimental security protocol is not mentioned.
For further study.
IEEE1588-2008 Annex K experimental security protocol is not used
For further study.
IEEE1588-2008 Annex K experimental security protocol is not used
Unicast negotiation
(IEEE1588-2008 clause 16.1)
Used by default.Mandatory - see details belowNot used in this profile.Mandatory - see details below
Path trace
(IEEE1588-2008 clause 16.2)
Not mentioned.Not mentioned.Optional - see Annex DNot mentioned.
Alternate timescales
(IEEE1588-2008 clause 16.3)
Not mentioned.PTP or ARB timescale used.
Alternate timescales are not used.
PTP timescale used.
Alternate timescales are not used.
PTP timescale used.
Alternate timescales are not used.
Grandmaster clusters
(IEEE1588-2008 clause 17.3)
Permitted, inactive by defaultNot mentioned.Not used in this profile.Not used in this profile.
Alternate masters
(IEEE1588-2008 clause 17.4)
Permitted, inactive by defaultNot mentioned.Not used in this profile.Not used in this profile.
Unicast discovery
(IEEE1588-2008 clause 17.5)
Used by default.Not mentioned.Not used in this profile.Not mentioned.
Acceptable master table
(IEEE1588-2008 clause 17.6)
Permitted, inactive by defaultNot mentioned.Not used in this profile.Not used in this profile.
Cumulative frequency scale factor offset
(IEEE1588-2008 Annex L)
Not mentioned.Not mentioned.Not used in this profile.Not used in this profile.

Message Rates

Sync & Follow-up1 every 2 seconds to 128 per second, default 16 per second1 every 16 seconds to 128 per second16 per second1 per second to 128 per second
Delay_request/response1 every 64 seconds to 128 per second, default 16 per second1 every 16 seconds to 128 per second16 per second1 per second to 128 per second
Announce1 every 8 seconds to 8 per second; default 1 every 2 seconds1 every 16 seconds to 8 per second; default 1 every 2 seconds8 per second1 per second to 8 per second
Peer Delay_request/responseNone (uses Delay_request/response mechanism)None (uses Delay_request/response mechanism)None (uses Delay_request/response mechanism)None (uses Delay_request/response mechanism)
SignalingAs required for unicast negotiationAs required for unicast negotiationNot usedAs required for unicast negotiation
ManagementPermittedNot usedNot usedNot used

PTP Configurable Attribute Values

Default Data Set

twoStepFlagStandard PTP behaviour.Used as per PTP, according to clock's capabilityUsed as per PTP, according to clock's capabilityUsed as per PTP, according to clock's capability
clockIdentityStandard PTP behaviour.Based on EUI64 format, as per PTPBased on EUI64 format, as per PTPBased on EUI64 format, as per PTP
numberPortsStandard PTP behaviour.Always 1 for ordinary clocksAlways 1 for ordinary clocks, as required for boundary and transparent clocksAlways 1 for ordinary clocks, as required for boundary clocks or transparent clocks
clockQuality.clockClassStandard PTP behaviour.clockClass value is derived from G.781 SSM values, according to Table 1 of G.8265.1.
Masters encode clockClass using this table according to the quality of their input reference.
Slaves use clockClass to select master to synchronize to.
clockClass encoded from the following set:
- Grandmaster clocks: 6, 7, 140, 150, 160, 248
- Boundary clocks: 135, 165, 248
- Slave-only clocks: 255
clockClass encoded from the following set:
- Grandmaster clocks: 6, 7, 140, 150, 160, 248
- Boundary clocks: 135, 165, 248
- Slave-only clocks: 255
clockQuality.clockAccuracyStandard PTP behaviour.Not used.
Should be set to 0xFE (unknown) if not traceable to a time source.
Grandmasters traceable to a GNSS-locked ePRTC: 0x20 (25ns)
Grandmasters traceable to a GNSS-locked PRTC: 0x21 (100ns)
All other clocks: 0xFE (unknown)
Grandmasters traceable to a GNSS-locked ePRTC: 0x20 (25ns)
Grandmasters traceable to a GNSS-locked PRTC: 0x21 (100ns)
All other clocks: 0xFE (unknown)
clockQuality. offsetScaledLogVarianceStandard PTP behaviour.Not used in this profile.Grandmasters traceable to a GNSS-locked ePRTC: 0x4B32
Grandmasters traceable to a GNSS-locked PRTC: 0x4E5D
All other clocks: 0xFFFF (not computed)
Grandmasters traceable to a GNSS-locked ePRTC: 0x4B32
Grandmasters traceable to a GNSS-locked PRTC: 0x4E5D
All other clocks: 0xFFFF (not computed)
priority1Default value 128.Not used in this profile.Not used in this profile.
Must be set to default value of 128
Not used.
Must be set to default value of 128
priority2Default value 128.Not used in this profile.Used to set network and protection topology, as described in Appendices IV and X.
Range 1 to 255, default value 128.
Used to set network and protection topology, as described in Appendix I.
Range 1 to 255, default value 128.
domainNumberDefault value 0.No default value; Configurable range 4 to 23Default value 24; Configurable range 24 to 43Default value 44; Configurable range 44 to 63
slaveOnlyDefault value FALSE (if configurable). TRUE for slave-only clocks, FALSE for GrandmastersTRUE for slave-only clocks, FALSE for GrandmastersTRUE for slave-only clocks, FALSE for all other clock typesTRUE for slave-only clocks, FALSE for all other clock types

Profile-specific defaultDS attributes

localPriorityNot defined in this profileNot defined in this profileNew dataset member defined in profile, allowing operators to manually configure topology (Annex B)
Range 1 to 255, default value 128
New dataset member defined in profile, allowing operators to manually configure topology (Annex B)
Range 1 to 255, default value 128
maxStepsRemovedNot defined in this profileNot defined in this profileNew dataset member defined in profile, allowing operators to configure the maximum distance between a T-GM and a T-TSC
Range 1 to 255, default value 255
Not defined in this profile

Port data set

portIdentity.clockIdentityStandard PTP behaviour.Based on EUI64 format, as per PTPBased on EUI64 format, as per PTPBased on EUI64 format, as per PTP
portIdentity.portNumberStandard PTP behaviour.1 (ordinary clocks)1 (ordinary clocks), as required (boundary and transparent clocks)1 (ordinary clocks), as required (boundary and transparent clocks)
logMinDelayReqIntervalNot used (covered by unicast negotiation - see details below)Not used (covered by unicast negotiation - see details below)-4 (16 delay_req messages/second)Not used (covered by unicast negotiation - see details below)
logAnnounceIntervalNot used (covered by unicast negotiation - see details below)Not used (covered by unicast negotiation - see details below)-3 (8 announce messages/second)Not used (covered by unicast negotiation - see details below)
announceReceiptTimeoutDefault value 3. Configurable range 2 to 102 (2 missing announce messages before loss of announce service declared)3 (3 missing announce messages before loss of announce service declared)2 (2 missing announce messages before loss of announce service declared)
logSyncIntervalNot used (covered by unicast negotiation - see details below)Not used (covered by unicast negotiation - see details below)-4 (16 sync messages/second)Not used (covered by unicast negotiation - see details below)
delayMechanismDefault mechanism is E2E (0x01)0x01 (E2E mechanism) for a two-way capable slave
0xFE (disabled) for a one-way capable slave
0x01 (Uses end-to-end delay mechanism)0x01 (E2E mechanism) for a two-way capable slave
0xFE (disabled) for a one-way capable slave
logMinPdelayReqIntervalNot used in this profile.Not used in this profileNot used in this profileNot used in this profile
versionNumber2 (PTP protocol version number)2 (PTP protocol version number)2 (PTP protocol version number)2 (PTP protocol version number)

Profile-specific portDS attributes

masterOnlyNot defined in this profileNot defined in this profileNew dataset member defined in profile, allowing multiple simultaneous active GMs
TRUE for ports that are always in master state.
New dataset member defined in profile, allowing multiple simultaneous active GMs
TRUE for ports that are always in master state.
localPriorityNot defined in this profileNot defined in this profileNew dataset member defined in profile, allowing operators to manually configure topology (Annex B)
Range 1 to 255, default value 128
New dataset member defined in profile, allowing operators to manually configure topology (Annex B)
Range 1 to 255, default value 128
SFNot defined in this profileNot defined in this profileNot defined in this profileNew dataset member defined in profile
TRUE when a slave port is in signal failure

PTP common message header flags

alternateMasterFlagStandard PTP behaviour.Set FALSE on transmission; ignored on reception.Set FALSE on transmission; used as per PTP by receiving nodesIn Announce messages: set FALSE on transmission when port state is MASTER.
Announce messages discarded on reception if flag is TRUE.
twoStepFlagStandard PTP behaviour.Used as per PTP defined in IEEE1588-2008Used as per PTP defined in IEEE1588-2008Used as per PTP defined in IEEE1588-2008
unicastFlagStandard PTP behaviour.Set TRUE on transmission.Set FALSE on transmission; ignored on reception.Set TRUE on transmission.
PTP profile Specific1Standard PTP behaviour.Set FALSE on transmission; ignored on reception.Set FALSE on transmission; ignored on reception.Set FALSE on transmission; ignored on reception.
PTP profile Specific2Standard PTP behaviour.Set FALSE on transmission; ignored on reception.Set FALSE on transmission; ignored on reception.Set FALSE on transmission; ignored on reception.
ReservedStandard PTP behaviour.Set FALSE on transmission; ignored on reception.Set FALSE on transmission; ignored on reception.Set FALSE on transmission; ignored on reception.
leap61Standard PTP behaviour.Not used in this profile. Value as per PTP defined in IEEE1588-2008.Used as per PTP defined in IEEE1588-2008Used as per PTP defined in IEEE1588-2008
leap59Standard PTP behaviour.Not used in this profile. Value as per PTP defined in IEEE1588-2008.Used as per PTP defined in IEEE1588-2008Used as per PTP defined in IEEE1588-2008
currentUTCOffsetValidStandard PTP behaviour.Not used in this profile. Value as per PTP defined in IEEE1588-2008.Used as per PTP defined in IEEE1588-2008Used as per PTP defined in IEEE1588-2008
ptpTimescaleStandard PTP behaviour.Set TRUE if synchronized to reference source of time.
Set FALSE otherwise, indicating ARB timescale (e.g. if synchronized to a freq. reference)
Set TRUE on transmission.Set TRUE on transmission.
timeTraceableStandard PTP behaviour.Not used in this profile. Value as per PTP defined in IEEE1588-2008.Used as defined in Table 2 of G.8275.1Used as in Table 2
frequencyTraceableStandard PTP behaviour.TRUE if traceable to a PRC, otherrwise FALSE.Used as defined in Table 2 of G.8275.1Used as in Table 2
controlFieldStandard PTP behaviour.Not used; ignored on reception.Not used; ignored on reception.Not used; ignored on reception.

Profile-specific common message header flags

synchronizationUncertainNot defined in this profileNot defined in this profileProfile specific optional flag in octet 1, bit 6, indicating that the source of synchronization is uncertain (e.g. clock is in UNCALIBRATED state while switching to a new T-GM).Profile specific optional flag in octet 1, bit 6, indicating that the source of synchronization is uncertain (e.g. clock is in UNCALIBRATED state while switching to a new T-GM).
Multicast and Unicast Operation



Full multicast operationNot required by this profile.Not required by this profile.Fully multicast operationNot used in this profile.
Full unicast operationAll messages are sent in unicast.All messages are sent in unicast.
Both masters and slaves must support full unicast operation
Not used.Both masters and slaves must support full unicast operation
Hybrid unicast/multicastNot required by this profile.For further study; see Appendix I for more details. Not required in first version of the profile.Not used.Not used in this profile.
Unicast negotiation processBoth masters and slaves should support unicast negotiation (IEEE1588-2008 Clause 16.1).Both masters and slaves must support unicast negotiation (IEEE1588-2008 Clause 16.1).
Masters must reject any request it can't completely fulfil, rather than grant less than the requested message rate or duration.
Not used.Both masters and slaves MUST support unicast negotiation (IEEE1588-2008 Clause 16.1).
Unicast connection establishment without negotiation is for further study.

Best Master Clock Algorithm (BMCA)

BMCA type:Default BMCAStatic BMCAAlternate BMCA (modified default BMCA)Alternate BMCA (modified default BMCA)
State decision algorithmDefault state decision algorithmMasters must implement static BMCA, with state BMC_MASTER, and state decision code M1
Slaves must implement static BMCA, with state BMC_SLAVE, and state decision code S1
Based on default state decision algorithm, adding check for new parameter masterOnlyBased on default state decision algorithm, adding check for new parameter masterOnly
Data set comparison algorithmDefault data set comparison algorithmSlaves select a master from a locally-provisioned list of grandmasters using the following criteria:
- grandmaster not in PTSF state (Packet Timing Signal Fail),
  e.g. loss of sync or announce service, (or optionally, unusable timing signal)
- lowest clockClass (SSM QL) value
- local priority value
Based on default data set comparison with following changes:
- moves check on GM clockIdentity to end
- removes check on GM priority1 values
- adds check for new parameter localPriority value (after GM priority2)
Based on default data set comparison with following changes:
- moves check on GM clockIdentity to end
- removes check on GM priority1 values
- adds check for new parameter localPriority value (after GM priority2)

Master Selection and Protection

Protection switchingUses Default BMCA to determine GrandmasterA slave must switch to an alternative grandmaster under one or more of the following conditions:
- clockClass (QL value) degraded to a higher value (i.e. lower quality) than an alternative master
- PTSF-lossSync or PTSF-lossAnnounce conditions on the current master
- (optional) PTSF-unusable on the current master (by configuration)
If no master is acceptable (e.g. all in PTSF condition), the slave must enter holdover or free-run.
Uses Alternate BMCA to determine GrandmasterUses Alternate BMCA to determine Grandmaster
Additional profile-specific protection featuresNot defined in IEEE1588-2008:
Features unique to ITU-T PTP Telecom Profile for Frequency (G.8265.1)
Additional parameters relating to Protection Switching:
- Temporary master exclusion from list of acceptable masters (by configuration)
- Wait to Restore time after original master becomes traceable (delay time by configuration)
- Non-reversion (implies reversion to original master is default; by configuration)
- Forced Traceabilty, master can force clockClass to a given value (by configuration)
- QL hold-off, delaying change of QL value to downstream devices (delay time by configuration)
- Output squelch when no traceable master available (by configuration)
Not defined in IEEE1588-2008:
Features unique to ITU-T PTP Telecom Profile for Frequency (G.8265.1)
Not defined in IEEE1588-2008:
Features unique to ITU-T PTP Telecom Profile for Frequency (G.8265.1)
Packet Timing Signal FailNot defined in IEEE1588-2008:
Features unique to ITU-T PTP Telecom Profiles G.8265.1 and G.8275.2
Three PTSF (Packet Timing Signal Fail) conditions defined:
- PTSF-lossAnnounce (no announce messages received for longer than announceReceiptTimeout)
- PTSF-lossSync (no sync messages received for longer than syncReceiptTimeout attribute,
  or no delayResponse messages received for longer than delayRespReceiptTimeout attribute)
- PTSF-unusable (unable to acheive the required performance target, e.g. due to high PDV)
Not defined in IEEE1588-2008:
Features unique to ITU-T PTP Telecom Profiles G.8265.1 and G.8275.2
Two PTSF (Packet Timing Signal Fail) conditions defined:
- PTSF-lossSync (no sync messages received for longer than syncReceiptTimeout attribute,
  or no delayResponse messages received for longer than delayRespReceiptTimeout attribute)
- PTSF-unusable (unable to acheive the required performance target, e.g. due to high PDV)

Profile-specific TLVs

Signalling message TLVsNo profile-specific TLVs.No profile-specific TLVs.No profile-specific TLVs.PTP Interface Rate
Optional TLV communicating the bit rate of the master port. Used to determine rate asymmetry on the path between master and slave port, allowing the slave port to compensate for the resulting delay asymmetry. 
Attached to the signalling message containing the GRANT_UNICAST_TRANSMISSION TLV.