PTP serviceability – time is money! – Cisco Blogs

“Time is money!” A quote that can’t be truer and more crucial for modern industrial networks where timing, precision, and synchronization pave the way for fast-paced current and future services. And in the middle of it all, PTP (Precision Timing Protocol) serves as one of the critical timing protocols making it all possible.

It may be logical to think that protecting time, services, and revenue is the goal of building a resilient and secure infrastructure. However, I would like to draw your attention to a meaningful, pragmatic complimentary value add, PTP serviceability. Let’s take a closer look in this second blog of our Industrial Ethernet Switching Series.

What is PTP serviceability?

Serviceability has multiple definitions and may include hardware/software connotations as well as support services. I would like you to think of PTP serviceability as implementing PTP in key infrastructure platforms in a way that is:

• Straightforward to configure (first configuration or ongoing modifications)
• Fast and intuitive to manage and monitor (daily checks or keeping an eye out for changes)
• Precise and accurate to troubleshoot (isolate and understand faults, restore working state)

Cisco IE switches support a robust PTP implementation. Our industrial switches have serviceability features ranging from simple configurations, informational outputs, timing statistics, protocol messages/alerts, and detailed protocol debugs.

Why should I care about PTP serviceability?

Many would agree that Precision Timing Protocol (PTP) is a vital modern timing protocol, but it can be very complex. While PTP specifications and tutorials are readily available in all corners of the internet, it isn’t simple to develop – the success depends on how well it is implemented.

The truth is that PTP needs to be implemented to function easy, fast, precise, intuitive, stable, and informational – only then will it be serviceable. Cisco industrial Ethernet switches shine in this area.

This ease of serviceability translates into fast learning and proactive maintenance by technical staff. Reducing complexity, training time, and cost will increase PTP network awareness in multi-vendor environments and preemptive assessments. It also decreases time to resolution when dealing with planned or unplanned events.

So, why should you care? Making PTP serviceable increases efficiency in deploying and effectiveness in maintaining it. Higher productivity will reduce your operational costs and will enhance business continuity.

If time is money … PTP serviceability protects it!

Ok, I am convinced … now what?

Great! We agree that PTP serviceability in the Cisco IE products will save your company time and money, especially in a multi-vendor environment. Learning PTP serviceability will ensure effective and timely infrastructure maintenance, reduced operational costs, and above all, it will prepare the technical staff to keep network and services continuity a top priority. Cisco IE provides these capabilities for you.

Next, I encourage you to dive into all the serviceability features in our IE switches. Get more information on our Industrial Ethernet portfolio, watch a short video on our latest industrial Ethernet products, and find more Cisco IoT innovations here.

Remember, you can reach out to us via Cisco Community for direct questions and answers. Don’t forget to Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up with the latest Internet of Things trends and insights to help you succeed with your IoT deployments.

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