In one example, network device includes a control unit having one or more hardware-based microprocessors and an interface. The interface can receive a first time synchronization message from a master device that comprises a first TTL value. The first TTL value can be indicative of a number of hops traversed by the first time synchronization message. The interface can subsequently receive a second time synchronization message from the master device that comprises a second TTL value that is is indicative of a number of hops traversed by the second time synchronization message. The network device can also include a timing module that determines a time adjustment based at least in part on the determination that the first and second TTL values are different, and applies the time adjustment to update the time of the network device.