1. Proposed title of this feature request

Dual-NIC Boundary clock configuration with single upstream PTP port and SMA connectivity for Intel WPC

2. What is the nature and description of the request?

Currently, the supported PTP configuration for dual-NIC boundary clock requires to have one port from each NIC connected to an upstream PTP GM signal, so the PHC from each NIC can be synced independently.

Intel Westport Channel cards support a different configuration, where only one of the NICs is connected to an upstream PTP GM signal, and it drives a second NIC's DPLL using a 1-PPS signal over an SMA or u.FL connection. This setup is described by Intel in the Intel® Ethernet Network Adapter E810-XXVDA4T User Guide, in section 5.6.5 . See the following diagram:

By supporting this configuration, only one network port would be required to connect to the fronthaul network, reducing the hardware needs and enabling more customers to use the PTP operator for their configurations.

3. Why does the customer need this? (List the business requirements here)

In some Telco partners, there is a very limited amount of network ports available for the DU node connectivity to the fronthaul network. This dual-NIC boundary clock configuration will provide better support for those environments, by reducing the number of required ports with PTP signal, and enabling more NIC ports to be connected to the Radio Units.

4. List any affected packages or components.

PTP Operator