Abstract: A network device is provided, which includes a communication unit and a processing unit. The communication unit is configured to perform a time setting process with a master clock device. The processing unit is coupled to the communication unit and is configured to control the communication unit to perform a time synchronization process for obtaining a time offset of the network device relative to the master clock device. The processing unit is further configured to calculate a processing time elapsed during the time synchronization process and obtain a correction time by calculating the system time of the network device, the time offset and the processing time.

Abstract: An operating method of a network system includes setting a plurality of first connection ports from among a plurality of connection ports of a first switch as belonging to a first loop group; receiving, through the first switch, a topology change notification; determining, through the first switch, whether the topology change notification is received via one of the first connection ports; and under a condition that the topology change notification is received via one of the first connection ports, outputting, through the first switch, the topology change notification via the other one/ones of the first connection ports, and not via the connection port/ports which do/does not belong to the first loop group. With such operation, broadcasting the topology change notification can be avoided, so as to increase the efficiency, bandwidth, and stability of the network system.

Abstract: An operating method of a network system includes setting a plurality of first connection ports from among a plurality of connection ports of a first switch as belonging to a first loop group; receiving, through the first switch, a topology change notification; determining, through the first switch, whether the topology change notification is received via one of the first connection ports; and under a condition that the topology change notification is received via one of the first connection ports, outputting, through the first switch, the topology change notification via the other one/ones of the first connection ports, and not via the connection port/ports which do/does not belong to the first loop group. With such operation, broadcasting the topology change notification can be avoided, so as to increase the efficiency, bandwidth, and stability of the network system.