Synchronizing a Windows Network with an NTP Time Server
Synchronizing a Windows 2000, 2003, or NT network is done using the Windows Time Service, also known as W32Time. The Windows Time Service was implemented in compliance with the Kerberos V5 authentication protocol, which is defined by RFC 1510. Among the protocol's requirements are accurate time stamps. A secure, synchronized, standards-compliant network must therefore be connected to a reliable time source. The ideal solution is a stratum 1 time server. Spectracom offers time servers (sometimes called master clocks) that synchronize to official time standards using legally traceable timing references (GPS satellite signals, for example). This accurate, reliable, and secure time source operates from within the network, behind the firewall.
This Application Note provides detailed information concerning synchronizing a Windows network with a time server. Although it is written generically for use with any time server utlizing network time protocol (NTP), these procedures have been tested with Spectracom NTP time servers and NetClock® master clocks.
Download the W32Time Network Time Synchronization application note as a pdf.
| Servers |
Workstations |
Time protocol |
Time sync service |
| Windows 2003 |
|
NTP |
W32Time |
| Windows 2000 |
Windows 2000 |
SNTP |
W32Time |
| |
Windows XP |
SNTP/NTP |
W32Time |
| Windows NT |
Windows NT |
SNTP |
W32Time from Y2K resource kit |
| |
Windows 98/95 |
SNTP |
Net Time |
| Table: Network environment applicable for this application note. |
Windows Time Synchronization Topics:
Background
How to synchronize to a time server or master clock
Troubleshooting