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White Rabbit Protocol (WRPTP)
White Rabbit* (WR) is a protocol developed to synchronize nodes in a packet-based network with sub-ns accuracy. The protocol results from the combination of IEEE1588-2008 (Precision Time Protocol, PTP) with two further requirements: precise knowledge of the link delay and clock syntonization over the physical layer with Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE).
White Rabbit evolved into an extension of Precision Time Protocol (PTP), therefore it is referred to as WRPTP. WRPTP is fully compatible with PTP and is currently defined as a PTP Profile.
White Rabbit Specification (WR Spec)
White Rabbit Protocol is described in White Rabbit Specification (WR Spec) which describes:
- hardware requirements which need to be fulfilled to implement WRPTP
- protocol requirements which need to be fulfilled by a device to be WRPTP-compatible
The latest version of WR Spec can be found "here": .
White Rabbit Standardization
Standardizing White Rabbit is unquestionably beneficial to the project
and is expected to bring substantial boost to the number of applications
of the protocol.
Advantages of standardization:
- easier co-operation with companies
- increase of stability, viability and credibility of the White Rabbit solution (favored by the potential users)
- feedback of field's expert
Standardization is a considerably long process which can be approach in various ways and from various directions. So far, a few potential paths for White Rabbit standardization has been identified. These include:
- Standardization at International Telecommunication Union -
Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T),
- within Telecom Profile (G.827x) - currently being developed
- as a separate Profile (similar to Telecom)
- Standardization at Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
- Standard within other standardization body/consortium
Goal of this project
The ultimate goal of this project is to standardize White Rabbit Protocol.
Project's plan
# White Rabbit Standardization Group is to be established:
* representatives of Scientific Institutes (e.g. CERN, GSI)and companies (e.g. NI)
* members of WR Collaboration and external experts
* the responsibility of the group is to perform the further actions
- Each potential path for WR standardization needs to be identified, studied and evaluated
- The most suitable path (in terms of costs, efforts, time) should be decided
- The standardization effort should be started
- An official White Rabbit standard will mark the end of the project