Methods with pluggable time signal adapter modules for selecting a time reference

Abstract

A small form-factor pluggable (SFP) time signal adapter module includes a printed circuit board, a cable connector mounted to the printed circuit board, and a differential receiver coupled to the cable connector, one or more of the plurality of wire traces, and an SFP edge connector. The printed circuit board has a plurality of wire traces and a plurality of pads of the SFP edge connector is at least coupled to two of the plurality of wire traces. The cable connector is coupled to at least one or more of the plurality of wire traces. The cable connector coupes to a connector of a cable to receive a differential time reference signal. The differential receiver receives and differentiates the differential time input signal to generate a single ended time reference signal that is coupled to a pad of the SFP edge connector.

1 . A method for a network appliance, comprising:
 providing a network coprocessing card having a coprocessor and a plurality of small form-factor pluggable (SFP) ports, each of the SFP ports having an SFP electro-magnetic interference (EMI) cage and an SFP connector coupled to the coprocessor, wherein one of the plurality of SFP ports of the network coprocessing card is a time signal port to receive a time reference signal;   coupling the network coprocessing card with a mother board of the network appliance to couple the coprocessor in communication with a processor and memory of the mother board;   configuring the coprocessor of the network coprocessing card to receive the time reference signal and network data.   
     
     
         2 - 21 . (canceled)