SyncE with and without PTP

Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE) and the Precision Time Protocol (PTP) address distinct synchronization requirements. SyncE operates at the physical layer to distribute frequency. It establishes the common clock rate across all network nodes. PTP operates at the packet layer to distribute phase and absolute time-of-day. These are independent capabilities, and many network deployments require frequency synchronization without any requirement for phase or time alignment.