Description: 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.