Network Models and Time Synchronization

This topic gives a high-level description of the network models that Equinix Precision Time (Precision Time) supports, and how client devices consume time distributed by the service. Match your system to the models shown below to determine the best Precision Time configuration for your topology needs. Note that the Precision Time distribution network model does not vary between models. Instead, only the network consumption model varies between network scenarios.

The following consumption models are available, for both non-redundant and redundant configurations:

• Direct Consumption – Ideal for a small number of devices to synchronize.  

  • Available for either Precision Time Protocol (PTP) or Network Time Protocol (NTP).

  • Offers high accuracy to all end devices.

  • Has an inherent upper limit to the number of devices you can connect to Precision Time on a single service. The upper limit is determined by the service tier you employ. For details on service tiers, see Ordering Equinix Precision Time.

• Cascaded Consumption – Ideal for thousands of devices to synchronize to a single reference time. This model is applicable for a private internal network, or for multiple private networks connected to end devices.

  • You can connect one or two devices directly to the service, after which you can synchronize devices in your internal or private network to those connected devices.

  • You can synchronize an unlimited number of devices on a single service.

  • You can add as many hops as you want, but keep in mind every additional hop might impact the accuracy levels.

Within either model:

• Precision Time supports Equinix Fabric port redundancy or non-redundancy topology.

  • Fabric port non-redundancy

    • PTP Direct Consumption

      In this model, you directly receive PTP from Equinix Precision Time on all the end devices.

      

    • NTP Direct Consumption

      In this model, you directly receive NTP on all the end devices.

      

    • PTP to PTP Cascaded Consumption

      In this consumption model, first you receive PTP from Precision Time, then distribute PTP.

      

    • PTP to NTP Cascaded Consumption

      In this model, first you receive PTP from Precision Time, then distribute NTP.

      

    • NTP to NTP Cascaded Consumption

      In this model, first you receive NTP from Precision Time, then distribute NTP.

      

  • Fabric port redundancy

    Important: The Equinix Fabric redundancy feature is supported only for NTP Enterprise, PTP Standard, and PTP Enterprise services.

    • PTP Direct Consumption

      This model enables you to directly receive PTP from Equinix Precision Time on all the end devices. A standby Equinix Fabric port adds support for redundancy.

      

    • NTP Direct Consumption

      In this model, you directly receive PTP on all the end devices, with a standby Fabric port for redundancy.

      

    • PTP Cascaded Consumption

      In this consumption model, you receive PTP from Equinix Precision Time, then distribute PTP for both active and standby systems.

      

    • NTP Cascaded Consumption

      In this consumption model, you receive NTP from Precision Time, then distribute NTP for both active and standby systems.

      

• Precision Time supports Network Edge redundancy or non-redundancy topology.

  Important: Network Edge (with or without redundancy) is supported only for NTP-Enterprise Service.

  • Network Edge non-redundancy

    In this model, a Network Edge firewall or router is the timing gateway, connecting through the Equinix Fabric port on the customer side.

    

  • Network Edge redundancy

    In this model, a Network Edge firewall or router is the timing gateway, with connectivity provided by high availability (HA) redundancy.