This application relates to a method for synchronizing multiple nodes in an optical network through which at least one client data packet is transmitted. In particular, the at least one client packet is synchronously placed in one or more containers that are routed through the network. A container is associated with a time slot allocated for transmitting the container through the network and comprises a container identification number in a container header of the container to identify the time slot associated with the container. In particular, the one or more containers have respective one or more container identification numbers are arranged in sequence using a cyclic numbering scheme that repeats a same container identification number after a container cycle has been completed, so that the one or more containers are transmitted in a cyclic order of the one or more respective container identification numbers. The method comprises receiving an incoming container at a node from an upstream node. The method also comprises identifying a numbering offset indicative of a difference between a container identification number of the received incoming container and an internal counter value of the node. It is noted that the internal counter value may be maintained to indicate an expected container identification number of a next container to be received by the node. The method further comprises determining a frequency control signal for a local transmit clock of the node based on the numbering offset. The method also comprises adjusting a local transmit clock signal of the node based on the frequency control signal.