CHECKSUM FRIENDLY TIMESTAMP UPDATE

A network device in a network is provided that is configured to implement a process for modifying a timestamp in a packet that is a timing protocol packet. The timing protocol packet is encapsulated by a user data protocol (UDP) datagram, where the modified timestamp is written into the packet, but does not require a checksum of the UDP datagram to be changed. The process includes receiving a packet including a first timestamp over the network, receiving the first timestamp from the packet and a second timestamp to be written to the packet, and determining a third timestamp that is a modification of the second timestamp to be written to the packet, the third timestamp having least significant bits modified from the second timestamp such that the checksum of the UDP datagram is unchanged. The process writes the third timestamp into the packet and transmits the UDP datagram to the network.