International Business Machines Corporation

Stephen P Cherniak

Donald Crabtree

John Scott Houston

Scott M Carlson

Dennis J Dahlen

Stephen Robert Guendert

Denise M Sevigny

Judith A Wierbowski

Noshir R Dhondy

Paul Wojciak

Michel H T Hack

A time server of a server time protocol (STP) facility of a coordinated timing network (CTN) receives a primary-reference-time (PRT) update, with the primary-reference-time update having been determined with reference to a time source, which includes a precision-time-protocol (PTP) source. The time server sets a primary reference time correction steering rate for the coordinated timing network based on receiving the primary-reference-time update, and broadcasts to one or more other servers of the coordinated timing network a PRT-correction-steering information block (PCSIB). The PRT-correction-steering information block includes a precision-time-protocol identifier for the time source used in determining the primary-reference-time update, and the primary-reference-time correction steering rate set by the time server.

Facilitating precision time protocol use in a coordinated timing network

A time server of a coordinated timing network (CTN) receives a command, including a primary-reference-time (PRT) source identifier identifying a time source in use for the server time protocol (STP) facility as a precision-time-protocol (PTP) time server. The time server obtains the primary-reference-time source identifier from the command, and distributes the primary-reference-time source identifier obtained from the command to one or more other servers of the coordinated timing network to facilitate processing within the coordinated timing network.

Setting primary reference time of server time protocol facility of a coordinated timing network to a precision-time-protocol source

An enhanced console assisted recovery capability provides an efficient technique for communicating the failure of a primary time server to the backup time server in order to provide fast failure recovery of a synchronized timing network with the intent of avoiding a complete network outage. The primary time server efficiently notifies the backup time server that the primary time server is about to become unavailable. The backup time server can then begin an immediate takeover of time serving to the synchronized network.

Enhanced console assisted recovery for a coordinated timing network

A server of a network of servers determines that its power source is failing. In response, the server communicates to one or more other servers of this network that it is leaving the network. This communication is powered by another power source.

Backup power source used in indicating that server may leave network

A primary time server of a Coordinated Timing Network remains as current time server, even if time code information of the primary time server is unavailable. The primary time server receives the necessary or desired timing information from a secondary time server and uses that information to maintain time synchronization within the Coordinated Timing Network.

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Bainbridge, NY, United States of America

Stephen P Cherniak