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Network Time Protocol (NTP)

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Category: Server Room
Published on Monday, 12 December 2011 12:47
Written by Server Administrator
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Network Time Protocol (NTP)

Network Time Protocol (NTP) is a protocol that system administrators use to update time on network devices or host on a packed switched network. Clients and servers on the the same network should have the same time because of security and troubleshooting. Time is important in the server world with out it  administration would be difficult at best.

 

How is Network Time Protocol (NTP) Implemented

Normally Network Time Protocol (NTP) is implemented in the operating system (OS) of the network host. Linux and Unix systems use a daemon that runs around the clock and this daemon process is called NTPD. Windows systems 2000 and above have the Windows Time Server. Windows and Linux NTP clients synchronizes with a server regardless of the OS.

 

How dose Network Time Protocol (NTP) help Troubleshooting

The time on a system helps troubleshooting by setting the time for all the system task and files. For example,  log files with an accurate time will give the system administrator a better feeling for what the server is doing. Also, system files being created with the right times can help tremendously. Being able to modify files and system tasks by timestamps can speed up task.

 

How dose Network Time Protocol (NTP) help Security

Network Time Protocol (NTP) helps security by setting the time for many services. Some of these server are Kerberos and tokens such as RSA SecurID. With security services depending on NTP one can see the need for Network Time Protocol (NTP). 


Network Time Protocol (NTP) Hierarchical System

Network Time Protocol (NTP) Hierarchical System is a layered system of clock sources. The layers of this system are called Stratum. The layers are labeled with 0 to 3. With 0 being the best and 3 being the worst.

1. Stratum 0 -- Devices at this level are atomic clocks and GPS clocks.

2. Stratum 1 -- These devices are attached to the Stratum 0 devices such as server.

3. Stratum 2 -- Devices at this level attache to server. Normally attached to more than one server the Stratum 2 using the algorithm to gather the best time.

4. Stratum 3 -- This level can also act as a server. But further away from Stratum 0 the more time drift the server and clients will have.

 

Network Time Protocol (NTP) Synchronization Algorithm

When synchronizing with a remote server the client needs to do a round-trip delay time. Round-trip delay is calculated with δ = (t3 − t0) − (t2 − t1). The sync is complete when both the incoming and the outgoing routes with the server and the client have synced.

 

Leap Seconds

Network Time Protocol (NTP) works on UTC time. UTC will send out Leap Seconds to adjust for the rotation of the earth. NTP Server will just stop for a second to adjust for the Leap Second of UTC.

 

Conclusion

Albert Einstein once said, "The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once." NTP servers and NTP clients need to exist on a switched network to keep services time accurate. Without Network Time Protocol (NTP) us system administrators would go crazy trying to find what order processes happened.

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