Do Catalyst switches forward Precision Time Protocol (PTP) packets?

[kyle dickinson]

I understand that the Catalsyt Switch range do not provide PTP Boundary Clocks. However can they still forward PTP packets from a PTP server to a PTP client connected to a port on Catalyst Switch, in particular the 4900M and 3750-X series. I do understand that any switching delay would affect the accuracy of the PTP clock.

[Jon Marshall]

Switches forward frames based on mac address.

They do not care what the payload of the packet is.

So yes they can.

Jon

[kyle dickinson]

So if I have a L2 network consisting of severall access switches connected via trunks to a distribution, with PTP clients in differing VLAN's, as long as each VLAN has a connection to the PTP source then the client will receive the PTP timestamp allthough subject to switching delays?

[Jon Marshall]

As long as there is routing setup between the vlans then yes the clients should receive the packets subject to any latency within the switches as you say.

Jon

[kyle dickinson]

Thanks Jon for the confirmation.