Method, apparatus and storage medium for determining clock

Abstract

The application discloses a method, device and storage medium for determining a clock, and belongs to the field of communication. The method comprises the following steps: a first network device receives a first signal and at least one second signal, wherein the first signal carries data to be transmitted by a first flexible Ethernet interface; a first physical layer clock is determined based on the first signal; a second physical layer clock is determined based on the at least one second signal, or based on the first physical layer clock and the at least one second signal; the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock is used as a transmission clock of a non-flexible Ethernet interface; wherein the first network device comprises the first flexible Ethernet interface and the non-flexible Ethernet interface. The application enables the network device to continue transmitting the clock of an upstream device through the non-flexible Ethernet interface.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202110443130.2, filed on April 23, 2021, entitled "A Method for Determining a Clock", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a method, apparatus and storage medium for determining a clock. Background Technology

[0003] An edge device of an optical transport network (OTN) includes an optical transport unit (OTU) interface, a flexible Ethernet (FlexE) interface, and at least one inflexible Ethernet interface. The at least one inflexible Ethernet interface includes a first inflexible Ethernet interface and a second inflexible Ethernet interface. The edge device uses the OTU interface to communicate with the OTN, receives flexible Ethernet data and / or inflexible Ethernet data using the OTU interface, and receives inflexible Ethernet data using the first inflexible Ethernet interface. The edge device also uses the flexible Ethernet interface to transmit received flexible Ethernet data, and uses the second inflexible Ethernet interface to transmit inflexible Ethernet data, or uses the second inflexible Ethernet interface to transmit inflexible Ethernet data generated by the edge device.

[0004] The edge device includes a local crystal oscillator, which generates a clock signal as the transmit clock for the second inflexible Ethernet interface. That is, the edge device uses the second inflexible Ethernet interface to transmit received inflexible Ethernet data, or to transmit inflexible Ethernet data generated by the edge device, based on the clock signal generated by the local crystal oscillator. Because the edge device typically uses a clock signal generated by its local crystal oscillator to transmit inflexible Ethernet data via the second inflexible Ethernet interface, it cannot continue to transmit the clock signal from upstream devices through the second inflexible Ethernet interface. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a method, apparatus, and storage medium for determining a clock, enabling network devices to use the clock of an upstream device as the transmit clock for a non-flexible Ethernet interface. The technical solution is as follows:

[0006] In a first aspect, this application provides a method for determining a clock, in which a first network device receives a first signal and at least one second signal, the first signal carrying data to be transmitted by a first flexible Ethernet interface. The first network device determines a first physical layer clock based on the first signal. The first network device determines a second physical layer clock based on the at least one second signal, or based on the first physical layer clock and the at least one second signal. The first network device uses the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock as the transmission clock for a non-flexible Ethernet interface, wherein the first network device includes both a first flexible Ethernet interface and a non-flexible Ethernet interface.

[0007] In this method, the first network device determines a second physical layer clock based on the at least one second signal, or based on a first physical layer clock and the at least one second signal. Since the second physical layer clock is determined based on the first signal, and both the first signal and the at least one second signal are signals received by the first network device, using either the first or second physical layer clock as the transmit clock for the inflexible Ethernet interface means that the transmit clock for the inflexible Ethernet interface is obtained based on the signal (first signal or second signal) received by the first network device. In this way, the first network device can use the clock of the upstream device that sent the signal as the transmit clock for the inflexible Ethernet interface, thereby continuing to transmit the clock of the upstream device through the inflexible Ethernet interface.

[0008] Furthermore, existing technologies use a locally generated crystal oscillator to transmit inflexible Ethernet data via an inflexible Ethernet interface. In this method, since the transmit clock of the inflexible Ethernet interface is derived from the signal (first signal or second signal) received by the first network device, the clock generated based on the received signal is used as the transmit clock of the inflexible Ethernet interface. This allows the edge device to transmit the clock of the upstream device through its inflexible Ethernet interface, thereby improving the accuracy of the transmit clock of the edge device's inflexible Ethernet interface.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the first network device determines the second physical layer clock based on the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to at least one second signal.

[0010] In another possible implementation, the first network device determines the second physical layer clock based on the physical layer clock priority corresponding to at least one second signal.

[0011] In another possible implementation, the first network device determines the second physical layer clock based on the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to the first physical layer clock and the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to at least one second signal.

[0012] In another possible implementation, the first network device determines the second physical layer clock based on the physical layer clock priority corresponding to the first physical layer clock and the physical layer clock priority corresponding to at least one second signal.

[0013] In another possible implementation, the first network device uses the first physical layer clock as the transmit clock for the first flexible Ethernet interface.

[0014] In another possible implementation, the first network device uses either the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock as the transmit clock for the inflexible Ethernet interface based on configuration commands, thereby improving the accuracy of the transmit clock for the inflexible Ethernet interface of the edge device.

[0015] In another possible implementation, the first network device uses either the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock as the transmit clock for the inflexible Ethernet interface, based on the physical layer clock quality level of the first physical layer clock and the physical layer clock quality level of the second physical layer clock. This allows the physical layer clock with the highest physical layer clock quality level to be used as the transmit clock for the inflexible Ethernet interface, thereby improving the accuracy of the transmit clock for the inflexible Ethernet interface of the edge device.

[0016] In another possible implementation, the first network device uses either the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock as the transmit clock for the inflexible Ethernet interface, based on the physical layer clock priority of the first physical layer clock and the physical layer clock priority of the second physical layer clock. This allows the physical layer clock with the highest physical layer clock priority to be used as the transmit clock for the inflexible Ethernet interface, thereby improving the accuracy of the transmit clock for the inflexible Ethernet interface of the edge device.

[0017] In another possible implementation, the first network device is an edge device of an optical transport network, and the first signal originates from the optical transport network.

[0018] In another possible implementation, the type of the first flexible Ethernet interface includes Flexible Ethernet (FlexE), Sliced ​​Packet Network (SPN), or Metropolitan Transport Network (MTN).

[0019] In another possible implementation, the types of inflexible Ethernet interfaces include Ethernet interfaces, Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH), Synchronous Optical Network (SONET), Optical Surveillance Channel (OSC), or Optical Transport Unit (OTU).

[0020] In another possible implementation, the first signal carries flexible Ethernet data received by the first OTU interface of the first network device.

[0021] In another possible implementation, at least one of the second signals carries overhead data received by the first OTU interface of the first network device.

[0022] In another possible implementation, at least one of the second signals carries data received by the OSC interface of the first network device.

[0023] In another possible implementation, at least one of the second signals carries data received by the Ethernet interface of the first network device.

[0024] Secondly, this application provides an apparatus for determining a clock, used to perform the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof. Specifically, the apparatus includes units for performing the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0025] Thirdly, this application provides an apparatus for determining a clock, the apparatus comprising a processor and a memory. The processor and the memory are interconnected via an internal connection. The memory stores a program, and the processor executes the program in the memory, causing the apparatus to perform the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0026] Fourthly, this application provides a computer program product comprising a computer program stored in a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer program is loaded by a processor to implement the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0027] Fifthly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program, which is loaded by a processor to execute the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0028] In a sixth aspect, this application provides a chip including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store computer instructions, and the processor is used to call and execute the computer instructions from the memory to perform the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture example provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 3This is a flowchart of a method for determining a clock according to an embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a square wave signal transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a flexible Ethernet frame provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an OTU frame provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating how a first network device determines the physical layer clock, as provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0036] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another first network device determining the physical layer clock according to an embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of another first network device determining the physical layer clock according to an embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of a device structure for determining a clock according to an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of another device structure for determining a clock provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The embodiments of this application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] See Figure 1 This application provides a network architecture 100, including:

[0042] First network device 1 and second network device 2, the first network device 1 communicates with the second network device 2.

[0043] In some embodiments, the first network device 1 and the second network device 2 are both edge devices of the optical transport network.

[0044] The first network device 1 includes a first flexible Ethernet interface 11, at least one first non-flexible Ethernet interface 12, at least one first OTU interface 13, and a first optical supervisory channel (OSC) interface 14.

[0045] The first network device 1 uses at least one first OTU interface 13 and a first OSC interface 14 to communicate with the optical transport network, and the first network device 1 uses a first flexible Ethernet interface 11 to communicate with the first device 3. For any one of the at least one first inflexible Ethernet interfaces 12, the first network device 1 uses the first inflexible Ethernet interface to communicate with the second device 4.

[0046] In some embodiments, the first device 3 is a separate device or network, such as a slice packet network (SPN) or a router. The second device 4 is a separate device or network, such as a synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) device, an optical transport network device, a switch, or a router.

[0047] In some embodiments, the at least one first non-flexible Ethernet interface 12 may be one or more of the following: Ethernet interface, synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH), synchronous optical network (SONET), OSC, and OTU.

[0048] In some embodiments, the first flexible Ethernet interface 11 may be of the type FlexE, SPN, or metro transport network (MTN), etc.

[0049] In some embodiments, see Figure 1 The first network device 1 also includes at least one Ethernet interface 15, and the first network device 1 uses any one of the at least one Ethernet interface 15 to communicate with the third device 5.

[0050] In some embodiments, the third device 5 is a separate device or network; for example, the third device 5 may be a switch or a router.

[0051] The type of the at least one Ethernet interface includes a gigabit Ethernet interface (GE) or a higher speed Ethernet interface.

[0052] For example, see Figure 2Assuming the first flexible Ethernet interface 11 is a first FlexE interface, and the first device 3 communicating with the first FlexE interface is a first SPN device 3, the at least one first non-flexible Ethernet interface 12 includes a first GE interface 121, a second OSC interface 122, and a second OTU interface 123. The second device 4 communicating with the first GE interface 121 is a first router 41, the second device 4 communicating with the second OSC interface 122 is a first OTN device 42, and the second device 4 communicating with the second OTU interface 123 is a second OTN device 43. The at least one Ethernet interface 15 includes a second GE interface 15, and the third device 5 communicating with the second GE interface 15 is a second router 51.

[0053] See Figure 1 The second network device 2 includes a third flexible Ethernet interface 21 and at least one third OTU interface 22. The second network device 2 uses the at least one third OTU interface 22 to communicate with the optical transport network and uses the third flexible Ethernet interface 21 to communicate with the fourth device 6.

[0054] In some embodiments, the second network device 2 further includes a third OSC interface 23 and / or at least one second inflexible Ethernet interface 24.

[0055] The second network device 2 can also communicate with the optical transport network using the third OSC interface 23. For any one of the at least one second inflexible Ethernet interface 24, the second network device 2 uses that second inflexible Ethernet interface to communicate with the fifth device 7.

[0056] In some embodiments, the fourth device 6 is a separate device or network, such as an SPN or a router. The fifth device 7 is a separate device or network, such as a synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH), a switch, or a router.

[0057] In some embodiments, the at least one second non-flexible Ethernet interface 24 may be one or more of Ethernet interface, SDH, SONET, OSC, and OTU.

[0058] In some embodiments, the type of the third flexible Ethernet interface 21 includes FlexE, SPN, or MTN, etc.

[0059] For example, see Figure 2Assuming the third flexible Ethernet interface 21 is the third FlexE interface, the fourth device 6 communicating with the third FlexE interface 21 is the second SPN device, the at least one second non-flexible Ethernet interface 24 includes the third GE interface, and the fifth device 7 communicating with the third GE interface 24 is the third router.

[0060] In the above Figure 1 or Figure 2 In the network architecture 100 shown, a first network device 1 receives a first signal and at least one second signal. The first signal carries data to be transmitted by a first flexible Ethernet interface 11, which is flexible Ethernet data. For the first flexible Ethernet interface 11, the first network device determines a first physical layer clock based on the first signal and uses the first physical layer clock as the transmission clock for the first flexible Ethernet interface 11. A second physical layer clock is determined based on the at least one second signal, or a second physical layer clock is determined based on the first physical layer clock and the at least one second signal, and the second physical layer clock is used as the transmission clock for the at least one first non-flexible Ethernet interface 12. Furthermore, the first network device 1 transmits the flexible Ethernet data through the first flexible Ethernet interface 11 based on the first physical layer clock.

[0061] The first network device 1 includes a first clock module and a second clock module. The first physical layer clock is a clock signal generated by the first clock module, and the second physical layer clock is a clock signal generated by the second clock module.

[0062] In some embodiments, for any one of the second signals, the second signal may carry inflexible Ethernet data, and the second signal corresponds to a first inflexible Ethernet interface 12. The first network device 1 transmits the inflexible Ethernet data through the first inflexible Ethernet interface 12 based on a second physical layer clock.

[0063] In some embodiments, the method by which the first network device 1 receives the first signal and the at least one second signal includes:

[0064] The first network device 1 receives a first signal from the optical transmission network through a first OTU interface 13, and receives a second signal from the optical transmission network through one or more of the first OTU interfaces 13, and / or, the first network device 1 receives the second signal from the optical transmission network through a first OSC interface 14, and / or, receives the second signal through at least one Ethernet interface 15.

[0065] In some embodiments, the second network device 2 transmits a first signal carrying flexible Ethernet data to the optical transport network via a third OTU interface 22, and transmits a second signal carrying inflexible Ethernet data to the optical transport network via the third OTU interface 22. The first signal received by the first network device 1 via the first OTU interface 13 includes the first signal transmitted by the second network device 2 via the third OTU interface 22. The second signal received by the first network device 1 via the first OTU interface 13 includes the second signal transmitted by the second network device 2 via the third OTU interface 22.

[0066] In some embodiments, the second network device 2 further includes a third OSC interface 23, through which the second network device 2 may also transmit a second signal to the optical transmission network. The second signal received by the first network device 1 through the first OSC interface 14 includes the second signal transmitted by the second network device 2 through the third OSC interface 23.

[0067] See Figure 3 This application provides a method 300 for determining a clock, the method 300 being applied to... Figure 1 or Figure 2 The network architecture 100 shown includes:

[0068] Step 301: The second network device sends a first signal and at least one second signal to the optical transport network, the first signal carrying flexible Ethernet data.

[0069] The second network device includes a third clock module and a fourth clock module. The third clock module generates the third physical layer clock, which is the transmit clock for the third OTU interface of the second network device. The fourth clock module generates the fourth physical layer clock, which is the transmit clock for the third OSC interface of the second network device.

[0070] The third clock module and the fourth clock module can be two different modules. Alternatively, the third clock module and the fourth clock module can also be a single module, in which case the third physical layer clock and the fourth physical layer clock are the same clock.

[0071] For the first signal, see Figure 1 The second network device receives a third signal sent by the fourth device through the third flexible Ethernet interface 21. The third signal carries a flexible Ethernet frame, which includes flexible Ethernet data. A third OTU interface 22 is selected, and based on the third physical layer clock generated by the third clock module or the fourth physical layer clock generated by the fourth clock module, a first signal is sent to the optical transport network through the selected third OTU interface. The first signal carries the flexible Ethernet frame, thereby enabling the transmission of the flexible Ethernet data.

[0072] In some embodiments, the bandwidth of the selected third OTU interface 22 is greater than or equal to the bandwidth of the third flexible Ethernet interface. That is, when the second network device receives a third signal through the third flexible Ethernet interface 21, it selects a third OTU interface from at least one third OTU interface in the second network device whose bandwidth is greater than or equal to the bandwidth of the third flexible Ethernet interface. Then, based on the third physical layer clock or the fourth physical layer clock, the first signal is transmitted to the optical transport network through the selected third OTU interface.

[0073] In some embodiments, see Figure 4 The third physical layer clock is a square wave signal. The second network device sends a first signal through the selected third OTU interface at the rising or falling edge of the third physical layer clock. In the embodiments of this application, other contents involving the concept of physical layer clock are the same as the concept of third physical layer clock, and will not be listed and described one by one.

[0074] See Figure 5 A flexible Ethernet frame includes a first overhead (OH) and a payload. The first OH includes 1588 time, physical layer clock quality level, and / or data management information, while the payload includes the flexible Ethernet data. The flexible Ethernet frame comprises multiple lines, each line including an OH portion and a payload portion. The first OH of the flexible Ethernet frame includes the OH portion of each line, and the payload of the flexible Ethernet frame includes the payload portion of each line. For example, the flexible Ethernet frame can be a FlexE frame or an MTN frame. A FlexE frame or an MTN frame includes eight lines, each line's OH portion includes one code block, and each line's payload portion includes 20*1023 code blocks, where * represents multiplication. For any code block, the code block includes 66 bits of data. The OH portion in the sixth line of the FlexE frame or MTN frame includes a first 1588 message and / or a first SSM message. The first 1588 message includes a first 1588 time, which is the time when the fourth device sent the first 1588 message. The first SSM message includes the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to the third signal. The OH portion of the seventh and eighth lines of the FlexE or MTN frame includes a data communication network (DCN) message, which contains data management information.

[0075] The fourth device includes a fifth clock module, which generates a fifth physical layer clock. Based on this fifth physical layer clock, the fourth device sends a third signal to the second network device. The physical layer clock quality level corresponding to the third signal is the same as that of the fifth physical layer clock.

[0076] In some embodiments, the second network device further includes a fourth clock module. When the second network device receives a third signal, the third signal carries a flexible Ethernet frame. The first OH of the flexible Ethernet frame includes a first 1588 message, and the first 1588 message includes a first 1588 time. The second network device performs time synchronization based on the first 1588 time. The second network device synchronizes the fourth clock module based on the third signal, and the synchronized fourth clock module is used to generate a fourth physical layer clock.

[0077] Then, see Figure 6 The second network device generates a second OH and writes the second OH and a flexible Ethernet frame into an OTU frame. The second OH includes a second 1588 message and / or a second SSM message. The second 1588 message includes a second 1588 time, which is the 1588 time generated when the second network device sends the second 1588 message after time synchronization. The second SSM message includes the physical layer clock quality level of the fourth physical layer clock generated by the fourth clock module.

[0078] In some embodiments, the payload of the OTU frame may include other data in addition to the flexible Ethernet frame, such as Ethernet data.

[0079] In some embodiments, the operation of synchronizing the fourth clock module based on the third signal is as follows: the second network device restores the fifth physical layer clock based on the third signal, and synchronizes the fourth clock module based on the fifth physical layer clock.

[0080] In some embodiments, the second network device synchronizes the frequency of the fourth clock module based on the frequency of the fifth physical layer clock.

[0081] For at least one second signal, the at least one second signal includes a second signal transmitted by the second network device to the optical transport network through a selected third OTU interface, and a second signal transmitted to the optical transport network through a third OSC interface.

[0082] The second signal transmitted by the second network device through the selected third OTU interface carries the second OH of the OTU frame. The second network device transmits this second signal to the optical transport network through the third OTU interface. The second signal carrying the second OH is essentially the overhead data of the OTU frame carried by the second signal.

[0083] In some embodiments, the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to the second signal is equal to the physical layer clock quality level in the second SSM message in the second OH.

[0084] For the second signal sent by the second network device through the third OSC interface, the second signal carries a third 1588 message and / or a third SSM message.

[0085] In some embodiments, the process by which the second network device sends the second signal through the third OSC interface is as follows:

[0086] The second network device, based on the fourth physical layer clock, sends a second signal through the third OSC interface. This second signal carries a third 1588 message and / or a third SSM message. The third 1588 message includes a third 1588 time, which is the 1588 time generated when the time-synchronized second network device sends the third 1588 message. The physical layer clock quality level in the third SSM message is equal to the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to the second signal; that is, the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to the second signal is the physical layer clock quality level of the fourth physical layer clock.

[0087] In some embodiments, the second network device includes a second inflexible Ethernet interface, through which the second network device receives inflexible Ethernet data sent by the fifth device, and through a selected third OTU interface or other OTU interface, transmits the inflexible Ethernet data to the optical transport network.

[0088] For example, see Figure 2 The second network device receives a third signal sent by the second SPN through the third FlexE interface 21. This third signal carries, for example, Figure 5 The second network device obtains a first 1588 time from the first OH (Obstacle Opportunity) in the flexible Ethernet frame, including a first 1588 message. It performs time synchronization based on the first 1588 time, recovers the fifth physical layer clock based on a third signal, and synchronizes the fourth clock module based on the fifth physical layer clock. The synchronized fourth clock module generates a fourth physical layer clock. The second network device generates a second OH, which includes a second 1588 message and a second SSM (Secondary Physical Layer Message). The second 1588 message includes a second 1588 time, which is the 1588 time generated when the synchronized second network device sends the second 1588 message. The second SSM message includes the physical layer clock quality level of the fourth physical layer clock. The second network device combines the second OH with the bearer... Figure 5 The flexible Ethernet frame shown, and / or other non-flexible Ethernet data, constitute as follows: Figure 6 The OTU frame shown.

[0089] The second network device, based on the third physical layer clock generated by the third clock module, sends a first signal and a second signal 1 through the selected third OTU interface. The first signal carries, for example, the third physical layer clock generated by the third clock module. Figure 5 The flexible Ethernet frame shown is as follows: Figure 6 As shown, the first signal carries the payload of the OTU frame, which includes a flexible Ethernet frame, and the second signal 1 carries the second OH.

[0090] In some embodiments, the second network device may also transmit a first signal and a second signal 1 via a selected third OTU interface based on a fourth physical layer clock, wherein the first signal carries, for example, Figure 5 The flexible Ethernet frame shown is as follows: Figure 6 As shown, the payload of the OTU frame carries the first signal, and the second OH is used to carry the second signal 1.

[0091] The second network device sends a second signal 2 through the third OSC interface based on the fourth physical layer clock. The second signal 2 carries a third 1588 message and a third SSM message. The third 1588 message includes the 1588 time when the synchronized second network device sends the third 1588 message, and the third SSM message includes the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to the fourth physical layer clock.

[0092] The third clock module and the fourth clock module can be the same module, so the third physical layer clock and the fourth physical layer clock can be the same clock.

[0093] For example, see Figure 2 The second network device also receives inflexible Ethernet data sent by the third router through the third GE interface, and sends the inflexible Ethernet data through the selected third OTU interface.

[0094] In this process, after the second network device sends the first signal, the second signal 1, and the second signal 2 to the optical transmission network, the first signal, the second signal 1, and the second signal 2 are transmitted to the first network device through the optical transmission network.

[0095] In an optical transport network, a first signal is forwarded through at least one hop optical transport network device. Upon receiving the first signal, each hop optical transport network device transparently transmits the first signal to the next hop optical transport network device.

[0096] The second signal 1 and / or the second signal 2 are also forwarded through at least one hop optical transmission network device. Each hop optical transmission network device includes a clock module. When each hop optical transmission network device receives the second signal 1 and / or the second signal 2, it synchronizes its own clock module based on the second signal 1 and / or the second signal 2, and transmits the new second signal 1 and / or the second signal 2 to the next hop device based on the physical layer clock generated by the synchronized clock module.

[0097] Since each hop of the optical transmission network device through which the first signal passes transmits the first signal transparently, while each hop of the optical transmission network device through which the second signal 1 and the second signal 2 pass synchronizes its own clock module, and transmits the new second signal 1 and the second signal 2 based on the physical layer clock generated by the synchronized clock module, when the first network device receives the first signal, the physical layer clock performance corresponding to the second signal 1 and the second signal 2 received by the first network device is higher than the physical layer clock performance corresponding to the first signal.

[0098] See Figure 1 The first network device also includes at least one Ethernet interface, which the first network device uses to communicate with the third device. The third device may also send a second signal to the first network device, the second signal carrying inflexible Ethernet data, the inflexible Ethernet data including the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to the second signal.

[0099] For example, see Figure 2 The second router sends a second signal 3 to the first network device. The second signal 3 includes the inflexible Ethernet data that the second router needs to send.

[0100] Step 302: The first network device receives a first signal and at least one second signal, the first signal carrying flexible Ethernet data.

[0101] The first network device receives a first signal from the optical transport network through a first OTU interface, the first signal carrying flexible Ethernet data.

[0102] In some embodiments, the first network device receives the at least one second signal in the following ways:

[0103] In Method 1, the first network device includes a first OTU interface. The first network device receives a second signal through the first OTU interface. The second signal carries the second OH of the OTU frame. The second OH includes a second 1588 message and / or a second SSM message.

[0104] Method 2: The first network device includes a first OSC interface. The first network device receives a second signal through the first OSC interface. The second signal carries a third 1588 message and / or a third SSM message.

[0105] Method 3: The first network device includes at least one Ethernet interface. For any one of the at least one Ethernet interface, the first network device receives a second signal through the Ethernet interface. The second signal carries inflexible Ethernet data and / or carries the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to the second signal.

[0106] For example, see Figure 2 or Figure 7 Assume that at least one Ethernet interface in the first network device includes a second GE interface. Thus, the first network device receives a first signal via the first OTU interface, and also receives the aforementioned second signal 1. The second network device receives a second signal 2 via the first OSC interface and a second signal 3 via the second GE interface. In other words, the second network device receives one first signal and three second signals.

[0107] In some embodiments, the first network device also receives inflexible Ethernet data from the optical transport network via a first OTU interface. This inflexible Ethernet data is inflexible Ethernet data sent by the second network device via a selected third OTU interface.

[0108] Step 303: The first network device determines the first physical layer clock based on the first signal.

[0109] The first network device includes a first clock module and a second clock module.

[0110] In step 303, the first network device synchronizes its first clock module based on the first signal. The synchronized first clock module generates a first physical layer clock, which is a physical layer clock signal.

[0111] In some embodiments, the operation of synchronizing the first clock module of the first network device based on the first signal is as follows: synchronizing the frequency of the first clock module of the first network device based on the frequency of the physical layer clock corresponding to the first signal.

[0112] In some embodiments, the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to the first physical layer clock signal is equal to the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to the first signal. The first network device extracts the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to the first signal from the first signal.

[0113] In some embodiments, the physical layer clock priority corresponding to the first physical layer clock signal can be manually set.

[0114] For each second signal, the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to each second signal is extracted. For an interface that receives any second signal, the first network device stores the physical layer clock priority corresponding to that interface. When the first network device receives the second signal based on that interface, it uses the physical layer clock priority corresponding to that interface as the physical layer clock priority corresponding to that second signal.

[0115] Step 304: The first network device determines the second physical layer clock based on the at least one second signal, or based on the first physical layer clock and the at least one second signal.

[0116] In step 304, the first network device can determine the second physical layer clock in the following ways:

[0117] In the first approach, the first network device determines the second physical layer clock based on the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to each of the at least one second signal, and / or determines the second physical layer clock based on the physical layer clock priority corresponding to each of the at least one second signal.

[0118] The higher the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to the second signal, and / or the higher the priority of the physical layer clock corresponding to the second signal, the higher the accuracy of the second physical layer clock determined based on the second signal.

[0119] In the first approach, the first network device selects a second signal using a clock source selection algorithm based on the physical layer clock quality level and / or physical layer clock priority corresponding to each of the at least one second signal. Based on the selected second signal, the physical layer clock used to transmit the second signal is recovered. Based on this physical layer clock, the second clock module is synchronized, and the physical layer clock generated by the synchronized second clock module is used as the second physical layer clock.

[0120] In some embodiments, the operation of synchronizing the second clock module based on the physical layer clock is as follows: synchronizing the frequency of the second clock module based on the frequency of the physical layer clock.

[0121] The physical layer clock quality level corresponding to the second physical layer clock is equal to the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to the selected second signal.

[0122] In some embodiments, the first network device selects a second signal with the highest physical layer clock quality level or the highest physical layer clock priority, or selects a second signal with a physical layer clock quality level exceeding a specified level threshold, or selects a second signal with a physical layer clock priority exceeding a specified priority threshold, to synchronize the second clock module.

[0123] For example, see Figure 7 The three second signals received by the first network device are, respectively, second signal 1 received by the first network device through the first OTU interface, second signal 2 received by the first network device through the first OSC, and second signal 3 received through the second GE interface.

[0124] The first network device selects the second signal with the highest physical layer clock quality level or physical layer clock priority based on the physical layer clock quality level or physical layer clock priority corresponding to each of the three second signals using a clock source selection algorithm (such as the ITU-T G.781 clock source selection algorithm). Assuming second signal 2 is selected, the physical layer clock used to transmit second signal 2 is recovered based on this second signal 2; this physical layer clock is the fourth physical layer clock. Based on this fourth physical layer clock, the second clock module is synchronized, and the physical layer clock generated by the synchronized second clock module is used as the second physical layer clock.

[0125] In the second method, the first network device determines the second physical layer clock based on the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to the first physical layer clock and the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to at least one second signal; and / or, determines the second physical layer clock based on the physical layer clock priority corresponding to the first physical layer clock and the physical layer clock priority corresponding to the at least one second signal.

[0126] In the second approach, the first network device determines the second physical layer clock based on the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to the first physical layer clock and the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to at least one second signal; and / or, determines the second physical layer clock based on the physical layer clock priority corresponding to the first physical layer clock and the physical layer clock priority corresponding to the at least one second signal. In implementation:

[0127] See Figure 8 The first network device acquires the synchronized first physical layer clock output by the first clock module. The physical layer clock quality level corresponding to the first physical layer clock is equal to the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to the first signal. The physical layer clock priority corresponding to the first physical layer clock is manually set. Then, based on the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to each of the at least one second signal and the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to the first physical layer clock, the first network device selects a signal using a clock source selection algorithm (e.g., the ITU-T G.781 clock source selection algorithm). And / or, the first network device selects a signal based on the physical layer clock priority corresponding to each of the at least one second signal and the physical layer clock priority corresponding to the first physical layer clock using a clock source selection algorithm (e.g., the ITU-T G.781 clock source selection algorithm). The selected setting may be the first physical layer clock, or it may be the physical layer clock corresponding to a second signal. Based on the selected physical layer clock, the second clock module is synchronized, and the physical layer clock generated by the synchronized second clock module is used as the second physical layer clock.

[0128] In some embodiments, the operation of synchronizing the second clock module based on the selected physical layer clock is as follows: synchronizing the frequency of the second clock module based on the frequency of the selected physical layer clock.

[0129] Step 305: The first network device uses the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock as the transmission clock of the first inflexible Ethernet interface, which is any one of the first inflexible Ethernet interfaces in the first network device.

[0130] In step 305, the first network device also uses the first physical layer clock as the transmit clock for the first flexible Ethernet interface.

[0131] The so-called use of the first physical layer clock as the transmission clock of the first flexible Ethernet interface means that when the first network device transmits flexible Ethernet data, it transmits the flexible Ethernet data through the first flexible Ethernet interface based on the first physical layer clock generated by the first clock module.

[0132] The first network device may use the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock as the transmit clock of the first inflexible Ethernet interface in the following ways, including:

[0133] In the first method, the first network device uses either the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock as the transmission clock for the first inflexible Ethernet interface based on a configuration command.

[0134] The management device can send a configuration command to the first network device. The configuration command includes indication information, which indicates whether to use the first physical layer clock as the transmission clock of the first inflexible Ethernet interface, or to indicate whether to use the second physical layer clock as the transmission clock of the first inflexible Ethernet interface.

[0135] The first network device receives the configuration command, in which the indication information is used to indicate that when the first physical layer clock is used as the transmit clock of the first inflexible Ethernet interface, the first network device uses the first physical layer clock as the transmit clock of the first inflexible Ethernet interface. Alternatively, when the indication information in the configuration command is used to indicate that the second physical layer clock is used as the transmit clock of the first inflexible Ethernet interface, the first network device uses the second physical layer clock as the transmit clock of the first inflexible Ethernet interface.

[0136] In the second method, the first network device uses either the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock as the transmission clock for the first inflexible Ethernet interface, based on the physical layer clock quality level of the first physical layer clock and the physical layer clock quality level of the second physical layer clock.

[0137] The second network device selects the physical layer clock with the highest physical layer clock quality level based on the physical layer clock quality levels of the first and second physical layer clocks, and uses the selected physical layer clock as the transmission clock for the first inflexible Ethernet interface.

[0138] In the third method, the first network device uses either the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock as the transmission clock for the first inflexible Ethernet interface, based on the physical layer clock priority of the first physical layer clock and the physical layer clock priority of the second physical layer clock. The physical layer clock priority of the first physical layer clock can be manually configured.

[0139] The first network device selects the physical layer clock with the highest physical layer clock priority based on the physical layer clock priority of the first physical layer clock and the physical layer clock priority of the second physical layer clock, and uses the selected physical layer clock as the transmission clock of the first inflexible Ethernet interface.

[0140] See Figure 9 When the first network device uses the first physical layer clock as the transmit clock for the first inflexible Ethernet interface, the first network device establishes an electrical connection between the first clock module and the first inflexible Ethernet interface. Thus, when the first network device transmits inflexible Ethernet data, it transmits the data through the first inflexible Ethernet interface based on the first physical layer clock generated by the first clock module. Alternatively,

[0141] When the first network device uses the second physical layer clock as the transmit clock for the first inflexible Ethernet interface, the first network device establishes an electrical connection between the second clock module and the first inflexible Ethernet interface. Thus, when the first network device transmits inflexible Ethernet data, it transmits the data through the first inflexible Ethernet interface based on the second physical layer clock generated by the second clock module.

[0142] Specifically, for any second signal received by the first network device via an Ethernet interface, the second signal corresponds to a first inflexible Ethernet interface in the second network device, and the second signal carries inflexible Ethernet data. After selecting a physical layer clock from a first physical layer clock and a second physical layer clock, the first network device transmits the inflexible Ethernet data via any of the first inflexible Ethernet interfaces, or via the first inflexible Ethernet interface corresponding to the second signal, based on the selected physical layer clock.

[0143] For inflexible Ethernet data received by the first network device through the first OTU interface, the inflexible Ethernet data corresponds to a first inflexible Ethernet interface in the second network device. After selecting a physical layer clock from a first physical layer clock and a second physical layer clock, the first network device transmits the inflexible Ethernet data through either one of the first inflexible Ethernet interfaces, or through the first inflexible Ethernet interface corresponding to the inflexible Ethernet data, based on the selected physical layer clock.

[0144] For the payload of an OTU frame received through the first OTU interface, for any network data included in the payload other than the flexible Ethernet frame, this other data corresponds to a first inflexible Ethernet interface in the second network device. After selecting a physical layer clock from a first physical layer clock and a second physical layer clock, the first network device transmits the other data through either one of the first inflexible Ethernet interfaces, or through the first inflexible Ethernet interface corresponding to the other data, based on the selected physical layer clock.

[0145] For example, see Figure 2 The first network device receives inflexible Ethernet data through the first OTU interface 13. The first inflexible Ethernet interface corresponding to this inflexible Ethernet data is the first GE interface. Assuming the first network device selects the second physical layer clock as the transmission clock for the first GE interface, the first network device transmits the inflexible Ethernet data through the first GE interface based on the second physical layer clock. And / or, the first network device receives OTU frames through the first OTU interface 13. For Ethernet data included in the payload of the OTU frame, the first inflexible Ethernet interface corresponding to this Ethernet data is also the first GE interface. Assuming the first network device selects the second physical layer clock as the transmission clock for the first GE interface, the first network device transmits the Ethernet data through the first GE interface based on the second physical layer clock.

[0146] In this embodiment, a first network device receives a first signal and at least one second signal, determines a first physical layer clock based on the first signal, and determines a second physical layer clock based on the at least one second signal, or determines a second physical layer clock based on the first physical layer clock and the at least one second signal. The first physical layer clock is used as the transmission clock for a first flexible Ethernet interface, and either the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock is used as the transmission clock for at least one first inflexible Ethernet interface. Therefore, the transmission clock of the at least one first inflexible Ethernet interface is obtained based on the signal (first signal or second signal) received by the first network device, allowing the clock of the upstream device (which may be a second network device or other devices) sending the signal to be passed on through the at least one first inflexible Ethernet interface. Furthermore, existing technologies use clocks generated by local crystal oscillators and use inflexible Ethernet interfaces to transmit inflexible Ethernet data. In this embodiment, since the transmission clock of the first inflexible Ethernet interface is obtained based on the signal (first signal or second signal) received by the first network device, the clock generated based on the received signal is used as the transmission clock of the inflexible Ethernet interface. This allows the edge device to pass on the clock of the upstream device through the edge device's inflexible Ethernet interface, improving the accuracy of the transmission clock of the edge device's inflexible Ethernet interface. In some embodiments, the second physical layer clock is determined based on the second signal received by the first OSC interface of the first network device. Since the physical layer clock corresponding to the second signal received by the first OSC interface has a higher quality level, the edge device can pass down the higher-level clock through the first inflexible Ethernet interface based on the second physical layer clock.

[0147] See Figure 10 This application provides a clock determining device 1000, which is deployed on a first network device provided in any of the above embodiments. For example, the device 1000 is deployed on a network device such as... Figure 1 or Figure 2 The first network device in the network architecture 100 shown is deployed in, for example, Figure 3 The first network device of method 300 shown, or deployed in, such as Figure 7 , Figure 8 or Figure 9 On the first network device shown. The device 1000 includes:

[0148] The receiving unit 1001 is used to receive a first signal and at least one second signal, wherein the first signal carries data to be transmitted by the first flexible Ethernet interface;

[0149] Processing unit 1002 is used to determine the first physical layer clock based on the first signal;

[0150] The processing unit 1002 is further configured to determine a second physical layer clock based on at least one second signal, or based on a first physical layer clock and at least one second signal;

[0151] The processing unit 1002 is also used to use the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock as the transmission clock of the inflexible Ethernet interface;

[0152] The device 1000 includes a first flexible Ethernet interface and a non-flexible Ethernet interface.

[0153] Optionally, for a detailed implementation of the receiving unit 1001 receiving the first signal and at least one second signal, see [link to documentation]. Figure 3 The details of step 302 in method 300 shown will not be explained in detail here.

[0154] Optionally, the processing unit 1002 determines the detailed implementation process of the first physical layer clock, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 3 The details of step 303 in method 300 shown will not be explained in detail here.

[0155] Optionally, the processing unit 1002 determines the detailed implementation process of the second physical layer clock, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 3 The content of step 304 in method 300 shown will not be described in detail here.

[0156] Optionally, for details on how processing unit 1002 uses the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock as the transmit clock for the inflexible Ethernet interface, please refer to [link to documentation]. Figure 3 The details of step 305 in method 300 shown will not be explained in detail here.

[0157] Optionally, the processing unit 1002 is used for:

[0158] The second physical layer clock is determined based on the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to at least one second signal; and / or,

[0159] The second physical layer clock is determined based on the physical layer clock priority corresponding to at least one second signal.

[0160] Optionally, the processing unit 1002 determines the detailed implementation process of the second physical layer clock based on the physical layer clock quality level or physical layer clock priority corresponding to the at least one second signal, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 3 The content of step 304 in method 300 shown will not be described in detail here.

[0161] Optionally, the processing unit 1002 is used for:

[0162] The second physical layer clock is determined based on the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to the first physical layer clock and the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to at least one second signal; and / or,

[0163] The second physical layer clock is determined based on the physical layer clock priority corresponding to the first physical layer clock and the physical layer clock priority corresponding to at least one second signal.

[0164] Optionally, the processing unit 1002 determines the detailed implementation process of the second physical layer clock, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 3 The content of step 304 in method 300 shown will not be described in detail here.

[0165] Optionally, the processing unit 1002 is used to use the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock as the transmit clock of the inflexible Ethernet interface based on a configuration command.

[0166] Optionally, for details on how processing unit 1002 uses the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock as the transmit clock for the inflexible Ethernet interface, please refer to [link to documentation]. Figure 3 The details of step 305 in method 300 shown will not be explained in detail here.

[0167] Optionally, the processing unit 1002 is used for:

[0168] Based on the physical layer clock quality level of the first physical layer clock and the physical layer clock quality level of the second physical layer clock, either the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock is used as the transmit clock for the inflexible Ethernet interface, and / or,

[0169] Based on the physical layer clock priority of the first physical layer clock and the physical layer clock priority of the second physical layer clock, the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock is used as the transmit clock of the inflexible Ethernet interface.

[0170] Optionally, for details on how processing unit 1002 uses the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock as the transmit clock for the inflexible Ethernet interface, please refer to [link to documentation]. Figure 3 The details of step 305 in method 300 shown will not be explained in detail here.

[0171] Optionally, the processing unit 1002 is also configured to use the first physical layer clock as the transmit clock for the first flexible Ethernet interface.

[0172] Optionally, for the detailed implementation process of the processing unit 1002 using the first physical layer clock as the transmit clock of the first flexible Ethernet interface, please refer to [link to documentation]. Figure 3 The details of step 305 in method 300 shown will not be explained in detail here.

[0173] Optionally, the device 1000 is an edge device of an optical transmission network, and the first signal originates from the optical transmission network.

[0174] Optionally, the type of the first flexible Ethernet interface includes Flexible Ethernet (FlexE), Sliced ​​Packet Network (SPN), or Metro Transport Network (MTN).

[0175] Optional, non-flexible Ethernet interface types include Ethernet interfaces, Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH), Synchronous Optical Network (SONET), Optical Surveillance Channel (OSC), or Optical Transport Unit (OTU).

[0176] Optionally, the first signal carries flexible Ethernet data received by the first OTU interface of the device 1000.

[0177] Optionally, any one of the at least one second signal carries overhead data received by the first OTU interface of the device 1000, or,

[0178] Any one of the at least one second signal carries data received by the OSC interface of the device 1000, or,

[0179] The at least one of the second signals carries data received by the Ethernet interface of the device 1000.

[0180] In this embodiment, the receiving unit receives a first signal and at least one second signal, where the first signal carries data to be transmitted by the first flexible Ethernet interface. The processing unit determines a first physical layer clock based on the first signal, and determines a second physical layer clock based on the at least one second signal, or based on both the first physical layer clock and the at least one second signal. The processing unit uses the first physical layer clock as the transmission clock for the first flexible Ethernet interface, and uses either the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock as the transmission clock for the inflexible Ethernet interface. Since both the first signal and the at least one second signal are signals received by the receiving unit, and the processing unit uses either the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock as the transmission clock for the inflexible Ethernet interface, the transmission clock of the inflexible Ethernet interface is obtained based on the signal (first signal or second signal) received by the receiving unit. This allows the clock of the upstream device transmitting the signal to continue to be transmitted through the inflexible Ethernet interface. Furthermore, existing technologies use clocks generated by local crystal oscillators to transmit inflexible Ethernet data using inflexible Ethernet interfaces. Since the transmit clock of the inflexible Ethernet interface is based on the received signal (first signal or second signal), the clock generated based on the received signal is used as the transmit clock of the inflexible Ethernet interface. Thus, the edge device can transmit the clock of the upstream device through the edge device's inflexible Ethernet interface and improve the accuracy of the transmit clock of the edge device's inflexible Ethernet interface.

[0181] See Figure 11 This application provides a schematic diagram of a clock determining device 1100. The device 1100 can be a first network device in any of the above embodiments. For example, the device 1100 is as follows: Figure 1 or Figure 2 The first network device in the network architecture 100 shown is as follows: Figure 3 The first network device of method 300 shown, or, is as follows: Figure 7 , Figure 8 or Figure 9 The first network device shown. The device 1100 includes at least one processor 1101, internal connectivity 1102, memory 1103, and at least one transceiver 1104.

[0182] The device 1100 is a hardware-structured device that can be used to implement... Figure 10 The functional modules in the device 1000. For example, those skilled in the art will conceive of them. Figure 10 The processing unit 1002 in the illustrated device 1000 can be implemented by the at least one processor 1101 calling code in the memory 1103. Figure 10 The receiving unit 1001 in the device 1000 shown can be implemented by the transceiver 1104.

[0183] Optionally, the device 1100 can also be used to implement the functions of the first network device in any of the above embodiments.

[0184] Optionally, the processor 1101 described above may be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits used to control the execution of the program of the present application.

[0185] The aforementioned internal connection 1102 may include a pathway for transmitting information between the aforementioned components. Optionally, the internal connection 1102 may be a single board or a bus, etc.

[0186] The transceiver 1104 described above is used for communicating with other devices or communication networks.

[0187] The aforementioned memory 1103 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions, or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but not limited thereto. The memory may exist independently and be connected to the processor via a bus. The memory may also be integrated with the processor.

[0188] The memory 1103 stores the application code that executes the solution of this application, and its execution is controlled by the processor 1101. The processor 1101 executes the application code stored in the memory 1103, and cooperates with at least one transceiver 1104, thereby enabling the device 1100 to realize the function of the method of this patent.

[0189] In a specific implementation, as one embodiment, the processor 1101 may include one or more CPUs, for example... Figure 11 CPU0 and CPU1 in the CPU.

[0190] In a specific implementation, as one embodiment, the device 1100 may include multiple processors, for example... Figure 11 Processors 1101 and 1107 are mentioned. Each of these processors can be a single-core (single-CPU) processor or a multi-core (multi-CPU) processor. A processor here can refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores used to process data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0191] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps of the above embodiments can be implemented by hardware or by a program instructing related hardware. The program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, such as a read-only memory, a disk, or an optical disk.

[0192] The above description is merely an optional embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A method for determining a clock, characterized in that, The method includes: A first network device receives a first signal and at least one second signal, wherein the first signal carries data to be transmitted by a first flexible Ethernet interface; The first network device determines the first physical layer clock based on the first signal; The first network device determines the second physical layer clock based on the first physical layer clock and the at least one second signal; The first network device uses the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock as the transmit clock for the inflexible Ethernet interface; The first network device includes the first flexible Ethernet interface and the non-flexible Ethernet interface; The first network device determines the second physical layer clock based on the first physical layer clock and the at least one second signal, including: The first network device determines the second physical layer clock based on the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to the first physical layer clock and the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to the at least one second signal; and / or, The first network device determines the second physical layer clock based on the physical layer clock priority corresponding to the first physical layer clock and the physical layer clock priority corresponding to the at least one second signal.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first network device uses either the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock as the transmit clock for the inflexible Ethernet interface, including: The first network device uses either the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock as the transmit clock for the inflexible Ethernet interface based on a configuration command.

3. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first network device uses either the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock as the transmit clock for the inflexible Ethernet interface, including: The first network device uses either the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock as the transmit clock for the inflexible Ethernet interface, based on the physical layer clock quality level of the first physical layer clock and the physical layer clock quality level of the second physical layer clock. The first network device uses either the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock as the transmission clock for the inflexible Ethernet interface based on the physical layer clock priority of the first physical layer clock and the physical layer clock priority of the second physical layer clock.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first network device uses the first physical layer clock as the transmit clock for the first flexible Ethernet interface.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first network device is an edge device of an optical transmission network, and the first signal originates from the optical transmission network.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first flexible Ethernet interface can be of the following types: Flexible Ethernet (FlexE), Sliced ​​Packet Network (SPN), or Metropolitan Transport Network (MTN).

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The types of inflexible Ethernet interfaces include Ethernet interfaces, Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH), Synchronous Optical Network (SONET), Optical Surveillance Channel (OSC), or Optical Transmission Unit (OTU).

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first signal carries flexible Ethernet data received by the first OTU interface of the first network device.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, Any one of the at least one second signal carries overhead data received by the first OTU interface of the first network device, or, Any one of the at least one second signal carries data received by the OSC interface of the first network device, or... Any one of the at least one second signal carries data received by the Ethernet interface of the first network device.

10. A device for determining a clock, characterized in that, The device includes: A receiving unit is configured to receive a first signal and at least one second signal, wherein the first signal carries data to be transmitted by a first flexible Ethernet interface; Processing unit, configured to determine the first physical layer clock based on the first signal; The processing unit is further configured to determine a second physical layer clock based on the first physical layer clock and the at least one second signal; The processing unit is further configured to use the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock as the transmit clock of the inflexible Ethernet interface; The device includes the first flexible Ethernet interface and the non-flexible Ethernet interface; The processing unit is used for: The second physical layer clock is determined based on the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to the first physical layer clock and the physical layer clock quality level corresponding to the at least one second signal; and / or, The second physical layer clock is determined based on the physical layer clock priority corresponding to the first physical layer clock and the physical layer clock priority corresponding to the at least one second signal.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that, The processing unit is configured to use either the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock as the transmit clock for the inflexible Ethernet interface based on a configuration command.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that, The processing unit is used for: Based on the physical layer clock quality levels of the first physical layer clock and the second physical layer clock, either the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock is used as the transmit clock for the inflexible Ethernet interface, and / or, Based on the physical layer clock priority of the first physical layer clock and the physical layer clock priority of the second physical layer clock, the first physical layer clock or the second physical layer clock is used as the transmission clock of the inflexible Ethernet interface.

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 10-12, characterized in that, The processing unit is further configured to use the first physical layer clock as the transmission clock of the first flexible Ethernet interface.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 10-12, characterized in that, The device is an edge device of an optical transmission network, and the first signal originates from the optical transmission network.

15. The apparatus according to any one of claims 10-12, characterized in that, The first flexible Ethernet interface can be of the following types: Flexible Ethernet (FlexE), Sliced ​​Packet Network (SPN), or Metropolitan Transport Network (MTN).

16. The apparatus according to any one of claims 10-12, characterized in that, The types of inflexible Ethernet interfaces include Ethernet interfaces, Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH), Synchronous Optical Network (SONET), Optical Surveillance Channel (OSC), or Optical Transmission Unit (OTU).

17. The apparatus according to any one of claims 10-12, characterized in that, The first signal carries flexible Ethernet data received by the first OTU interface of the device.

18. The apparatus according to any one of claims 10-12, characterized in that, Any one of the at least one second signal carries overhead data received by the first OTU interface of the device, or, Any one of the at least one second signal carries data received by the OSC interface of the device, or Any one of the at least one second signal carries data received by the Ethernet interface of the device.

19. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by a computer, it implements the method as described in any one of claims 1-9.

20. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and the computer program is loaded by a processor to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-9.

Images