Internet Time Server

Discussion in 'The Lounge - Off Topic' started by Nelix, Sep 29, 2006.

  1. Nelix
    Honorary Member

    Nelix Gigabyte Poster

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    IT related but not sure which forum to put this in.

    Does anyone use an internet Time server?

    If so which one and why

    If not, why not

    Derek
     
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  2. nugget
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    nugget Junior toady

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    Nelix, I usually set up my systems to use time.nist.gov.

    At work I usually point the systems at the gateway but I don't know where it gets the time from.:oops:
     
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  3. Nelix
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    Nelix Gigabyte Poster

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    I take it that is switzerland time and not UK time
     
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  4. nugget
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    nugget Junior toady

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    Why is that Nelix?

    As far as I know the time server just serves the time, then
    it gets modified according to the time zone you configured when you installed the system.
     
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  5. Nelix
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    Nelix Gigabyte Poster

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    I was led to believe that it was nessasary to locate a time server in the same time server as the ntp client/device requesting the time. I may be wrong and I am sure someone will be along shortly to clear this up.

    Thanks for your input.
     
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  6. nugget
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    nugget Junior toady

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    Here's a snippet or 2 that I found in the help pages.
    What is the problem you're having with it?

    Here is a list of some time servers.
     
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  7. GmanUK

    GmanUK Byte Poster

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    Nelix

    Any time zone sync server works with any pc all over the world, no matter what the location. This is due to all clocks being GMT...plus whatever the time difference.

    I use time.windows.com which has never given me or any servers I have administered any issues.

    I know that time.nist.gov is run by the U.S goverment so I'm sure that is also a sure bet. :rolleyes:
     
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  8. hbroomhall

    hbroomhall Petabyte Poster Gold Member

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    What happens with NTP servers depends on the OS on the client.

    With XP it is pre-set to connect to a reasonable NTP site, and will do all the required conversions if it isn't in the same timezone.

    With Win2k you can mess with the registry and get the same result as XP.

    With older versions of Windows you need a 3rd party client, but these nearly always sort out timezones.

    With Unix/Linux you need to set a NTP server and set the client going. And once again it usualy sorts the timezones for you.

    Most ISPs in the UK have a NTP server of reasonable accuracy. Some have one with a very high level of accuracy.

    Harry.
     
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  9. GmanUK

    GmanUK Byte Poster

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    Nice find with the list nugget!! :biggrin
     
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  10. hbroomhall

    hbroomhall Petabyte Poster Gold Member

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    I wish they were......

    Under Unix/Linux the norm is for the PC local clock to be set to UTC (=GMT), and the OS will do the conversion for any apps that want local time.

    Microsoft, of course, broke this. All M$ based machines are usualy set to local time, and alter the CMOS clock when summer time kicks in/out.

    Most Linux distibutions recognize this problem and allow you to tell it whether you have a stand-alone PC, in which case it sets for UTC, or a shared boot, where it sets for localtime.

    Harry.
     
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  11. GmanUK

    GmanUK Byte Poster

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    Well hbroomhall...i'm learning everyday!!

    Now who went and told MS they were king eh?!! lol :dry
     
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  12. Nelix
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    Nelix Gigabyte Poster

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    I am currently configuring my firewall which has the following option:

    Automatically synchronize with an Internet time server(NTP)

    however, no matter which time server I use it says it can't sync with it.
     
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  13. hbroomhall

    hbroomhall Petabyte Poster Gold Member

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    Depends where the firewall element is vis-a-vis the NTP client.

    First make sure that the port is open (123 IIRC).

    *Some* versions of NTP client won't synch if the local clock is too far out. What 'too far' is seems to be variable, but at least try and get it with a minute of the correct time.

    Harry.
     
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  14. nugget
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    nugget Junior toady

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    About 15 hours according to M$.
     
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  15. hbroomhall

    hbroomhall Petabyte Poster Gold Member

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    That their standard deviation? <giggle>

    I wouldn't be surprised! :biggrin

    However, I took Nelix's comments to imply he was setting up an external firewall, and many of these are based on Linux.

    Harry.
     
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  16. Bluerinse
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    Bluerinse Exabyte Poster

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    In a Windows AD forest only the domain controller holding the PDC Emulator role in the root of the forest should be set to query an Internet time server. The other DC's will contact it in order to sync their time and the clients should sync with their relevant DC when they log on.
     
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  17. Nelix
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    Nelix Gigabyte Poster

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    DOH !!!!!!!!!

    I was setting up a hardware firewall that will be sitting on my network once I get round to completing the setup, I figured out why it would not sync. I had the firewall connected to my laptop to configure it while it was off the network......can you see where i'm going here? it was off the network........hence it could not get out onto the internet to sync :oops: .......sorry guys, must have been having a blonde moment (appologies to any blondes reading this, nothing personal).

    Thanks for the help anyway guys
     
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  18. Sandy

    Sandy Ex-Member

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    We sure do

    At work we use the one at Strathclyde Uni. Why? I knew the IP address!

    At home I use my GPS to update my network time server.
     

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