Embodiments include method, systems and computer program products for timing synchronization. Aspects include sending to a remote system a first base packet, the first base packet is sent at a first send event time and then recording the first send event time in a memory. Aspects also include sending to the remote system a second base packet, wherein the payload comprises instructions for the remote computing system and receiving a first remote packet, wherein a payload comprises a first received time indicating a time the first base packet was received. Aspects then include recording the first received time and recording a second received time, wherein the second received time indicates a time the first remote packet was received by the base system. Aspects include receiving a second remote packet, wherein a payload comprises a second sent time indicating a time the first remote packet was sent.