PTP (or IEEE1588) is a protocol developed by the IEEE that enables the accurate synchronization of a set of peer clocks. It is intended to provide much more accurate synchronization than is normally achieved with the Network Time Protocol (NTP). PTP can provide sub-microsecond synchronization under ideal conditions.
ATOP's PTP supports a number of network technologies, including Ethernet, and is primarily intended to be used on dedicated Local Area Networks (LANs). Any active network element, such as a switch or router that is added to a network, increases latency and jitter; reducing the quality of the clock synchronization that is possible. PTP aware switches, known as PTP Transparent Switches or Boundary Clocks, can reduce the impact of switching and queueing latency in the PTP network.