Abstract: A method is disclosed for use by a network element comprising a plurality of ports for communicating a common clock signal with one or more neighboring network elements. The method comprises, for at least one port of the plurality of ports, determining, while the port is in a predefined listening mode, whether the port is connected with a neighboring network element; and calculating, when the port is connected, a respective clock phase delay value between the network element and the neighboring network element. The method further comprises, based on a role assigned to the network element from a plurality of predefined roles, assigning a clock signal synchronization role to the port. The network element is configured to communicate the common clock signal using the clock phase delay value and using the clock signal synchronization role.