Timing and synchronization for an IP router using an optical switch

Information and control are synchronized as they flow through a large distributed IP router system with independent clocks. The IP router includes multiple equipment racks and shelves, each containing multiple modules. The IP router is based on a passive switching device, which in some embodiments is an optical switch. Control and data come to the switching device from different sources, which have different clocks. Timing and synchronization control are provided, such that information and control both arrive at the switching device at the proper time. A single point in the system originates timing, which is then distributed through various ASICs of the system to deliver configuration control to the switch at the appropriate time. The launch of information to the switch is also controlled with a dynamic feedback loop from an optical switch controller. Control aspects of the optical switch are aligned by this same mechanism to deliver control and data to the optical switch simultaneously.