ADVA Timing Card Brings Precise Synchronization to Open Compute Servers

ADVA launched its OSA 5400 TimeCard, enabling operators of data center network infrastructure and 5G open RAN architectures to achieve highly accurate and reliable distribution and synchronization of time. Built on the OSA 5400 SyncModule, ADVA’s new PCIe card brings sophisticated timing capabilities to any open compute server, transforming it into a precise and stable PTP grandmaster, boundary clock, slave clock or NTP server. The OSA 5400 TimeCard is the market’s first solution developed to the framework of the Open Compute Project’s (OCP) Time Appliance Project (TAP) and enhanced with both PTP and NTP functions. With advanced synchronization capabilities, it solves a key challenge for network operators as they virtualize their infrastructure and replace purpose-built hardware with standard servers.

“Timing in data centers and other open compute cases like 5G open RAN is becoming increasingly crucial as a growing number of applications require new levels of performance. But the sub-microsecond synchronization needed for efficient resource sharing is something that open compute servers often cannot provide. Open compute customers need a way to inject the most advanced synchronization capabilities into their white box hardware. That’s why we’ve engineered our OSA 5400 TimeCard™. It brings our experience in network and application synchronization to open compute servers as well as open RAN equipment, enabling a whole new group of customers to benefit from our unique expertise,” said Gil Biran, general manager, Oscilloquartz, ADVA. “Our feature-rich OSA 5400 TimeCard meets and goes beyond OCP-TAP specifications. For data centers, finance and 5G infrastructure, it’s the key to bringing packet time distribution to the edge and access network.”

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Developed specifically to OCP-TAP specifications, ADVA’s new OSA 5400 TimeCard is enhanced with an integrated GNSS receiver, PTP, NTP, PTP assurance, GNSS assurance and mitigation engines, as well as full sync management functionality. Easily plugged into a free PCIe slot of a standard open compute server or PC, it delivers extremely robust and precise synchronization. It offers a wide range of oscillator options to cost-effectively meet different levels of holdover requirements. Unlike competing solutions, the OSA 5400 TimeCard is designed for simplicity and assured operations. Its powerful control interface provides comprehensive device information as well as data on the performance of the timing network. The OSA 5400 TimeCard provides transparent assurance and can be managed by ADVA’s Ensemble Sync Director. Comprehensive visibility of the timing infrastructure puts operational teams in complete control, even with no specialist expertise in network synchronization.

“In a wide range of industries, the need is now being recognized for highly precise and stable synchronization of time and frequency across packet networks. But the race to roll our cost-effective standard hardware and embrace the advantages of server virtualization often leaves a timing gap. As strict synchronization is now vital for more and more applications, operators urgently need an efficient way to bring tight timing to open compute servers. Our OSA 5400 TimeCard is the answer,” commented Nir Laufer, VP, product line management, Oscilloquartz, ADVA. “Our PCIe pluggable card will empower data center operators, enterprises, utilities, broadcast networks, financial networks and 5G mobile service providers to harness time-sensitive applications through reliable, scalable and high-accuracy timing.”

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