About WR-Z16

The WR-Z16 is the reliable precise time fan-out for the most demanding time distribution applications on 1G Ethernet-based networks.

The WR-Z16 is a standalone device with 16 SFP connectors which provides sub-nanosecond accuracy time over plug-and-play fiber links. It provides very precise IEEE 1588 (PTP) in all its optical interfaces and supports NTP interoperability. Picosecond-level frequency distribution is available through digital clock. The WR-Z16 incorporates failover mechanisms which combine multi-source redundancy and holdover capabilities to ensure continued operation.

Its design is optimized for datacenter environment, where it is typically located in the top of the hierarchy level of the distribution network. The WR-Z16 can obtain the external time reference from its 10MHz and 1PPS SMA inputs, from another White Rabbit device through the SFP ports or it can work as a free running master device for the network.

A typical intra-datacenter network topology is shown in the figure below, where the WR-Z16 is working as the grandmaster and is the key element for distributing the timing through WR to each cabinet of the datacenter. Different end nodes are included in the diagram to illustrate the interoperability with different interfaces.

Intra-datacenter WR network topology

There are different options and licenses which enable specific functionalities of the WR-Z16. These options are described in the table below:

Options and Licenses available in WR-Z16

Option /License	Description
Holdover option	An optional holdover oscillator can be included to maintain high accuracy (<1.5us/24h) even when all timing references are down.
PTP license	The device is shipped with the default profile of PTPv2/IEEE1588-2008. Other configuration including specific profiles support requires activation license.
HATI license	Enable the WR-Z16 to provide high accuracy synchronization to the HATI FPGA IP CORE. This license might be available per port or within a pack.