A system and method have been provided for synchronizing the timing of line cards and switch cards in a broadband switch. Synchronization is accomplished using an auxiliary data link between the line and switch cards. One of the switch cards is selected as the master switch card. The master switch card receives timing information from the line cards, and in turn, sends timing correction signals to each of the line cards. Each line card acquires synchronization using its respective timing correction. A master line card is selected from among the line cards, and the slave switch cards adopt the timing of the master line card, becoming synchronized to the master switch card.
