Overview

The GNU/Linux operating system of the SyncBox/PTP SBC (Single Board Computer) has been optimized to ensure a high level of security and reliability. The configuration of the system can be done by using a standard web browser to access the extensive but straightforward html interface. Alternatively a text based and menu driven setup utility can be started from the shell prompt after logging into the unit via Telnet or SSH.
The security-related features of the SyncBox satisfy highest demands. The time synchronization data can be reliably signed and secured by symmetric keys (MD5) and the NTP autokey procedures. This protects the clients against manipulated time and man-in-the-middle attacks and allows them to verify that the NTP packets they received were send by the Syncbox.

Additionally the whole Syncbox configuration can be done by using encrypted channels (e.g. SSH, HTTPS or SNMPv3). Every unused/unneeded protocol can be disabled in order to reduce possible points of attack.

In order to support network management systems the SyncBox/PTP time server offers an extensive SNMP interface, which can be accessed by SNMP V1, V2.c and V3. It allows the monitoring of all relevant system parameters (including operating system parameters, network interface statistics, detailed NTP status information as well as the complete system configuration) and can be used to alter the SyncBox configuration via SNMP set commands, too.

The PTP/IEEE 1588 implementation of the SyncBox is fully compliant to the IEEE 1588 V1 standard and therefore provides PTP management messages as well.

The SyncBox can be deployed in IPv6 networks, the NTP time synchronization as well as the configuration interfaces (Web-based, SSH and SNMP) comes with IPv6 support. You can assign several IPv6 addresses and the system supports automatic configuration by IPv6 autoconf.

The SyncBox/PTP is equipped with a high precision oscillator “OCXO HQ” (look at oscillator options for details).