The maximum possible height of a network clock distribution
tree in the network. (Alternatively this is known as the
maximum diameter of the network of devices that are
participating in NCDP.) If all of the nodes in the network
are participating in the protocol then the maximum height of
the network clock distribution tree is exactly the maximum
diameter of the network. If a proper subset of the nodes
are participating in the NCDP then the maximum height of a
network clock distribution tree is the maximum diameter of
the subnetwork induced by the removal of the
non-participating nodes and their associated links.
The NCDP protocol entity uses the value of this object to
determine when the NCDP algorithm has converged. All
devices participating in NCDP within the bounds of the
network must use the same value for maximum network diameter
for the NCDP algorithm to operate properly. If the value of
this object is set too small the resultant network may
exhibit unstable clocking characteristics and may constantly
switch clock sources. If the value is much larger than the
network diameter, the algorithm will take longer to declare
convergence than if the diameter were set closer to the
actual maximum network diameter, the result being that it
will take longer for the network to resynchronize after a
switchover to a secondary clock source located on a
secondary device.
This object is only used by the NCDP protocol entity.