A system and method for redundant synchronizing to a reference clock for data communications. A determination is made whether a first data stream and a second data stream are available. The first data stream and the second data stream are received through opposing directions of a communications ring. A first data packet and second data packet are received at a remote node in response to the first data stream and second data stream being available. A timing characteristic of the first data packet and the second data packet correspond to a tick of a reference clock. The tick of the reference clock is extracted utilizing a timing characteristic of the first data packet or second data packet in response to the first data stream or the second data stream being available. A secondary clock is disciplined with the reference clock by adjusting the secondary clock based on a difference between times measured by the reference clock and the secondary clock to generate a clock signal. The clock signal is communicated to one or more interfaces for distribution.