FAQs: Network Time Protocol
Configuration of NTP clients can occur in various ways depending on the environment in which it is used. There are configurations for stand alone machines, configurations for Windows Domain environments, configurations for Network Devices, etc. It is important to use NTP in the most appropriate deployment for your environment.
stand alone ntp clients
Use time-a.utah.edu and time-b.utah.edu among your time sources if your application can make use of more than one source of time. Note that time.utah.edu is simply a DNS round-robin of time-a and time-b.
Windows XP:
Using Campus NTP servers with Windows XP
- Right Click on the clock in the system tray of the task bar
- Choose Adjust Date/Time
- Choose Internet Time Tab
- Add time.utah.edu to your server line.
- Click Update Now to verify functionality
- Choose OK
Unix Environments:
When configuring your ntp.conf file in Unix environments you may add lines such as the following.
- server time-a.utah.edu
- server time-b.utah.edu
The NTP service must be restarted in order to re-read the configuration file.
Some Linux distributions, such as SuSE, Red Hat, and Mandrake, may have a GUI interface to aid in this configuration.
Macintosh OS X:
Mac OS X uses ntpd internally to synchronize time, as done on other unix systems. Configuration is easiest via the System Preferences application.
- Launch the System Preferences application.
- From the View menu, select Date & Time.
- Select the Network Time tab.
- Check Use a network time server.
- Enter a NTP Server of time.utah.edu.
Additional Mac NTP Information
Multiple Machines
If you are a LAN administrator and manage multiple machines, NTP can be deployed in various ways.
Assignment via DCHP:
DHCP server option code 42 is available for the automatic assignment of NTP servers to DHCP clients. This is simply a listing of servers. If more than one server is in the list the servers should be listed in the order of preference.
Running NTP in a Windows Domain Environment:
Computers that are members of a domain act as a time client by default. It is important to configure your domain controller to request time from a campus time source. Please see this link for further details about configuring time services in a domain environment.
Stratum 2/3 NPT servers
Peer with OIT's stratum 2 timeservers if you run a stratum 2 or 3 ntp server that provides time to 50 or more computers or devices in your lab, department or college. They are time01.it.utah.edu through time04.it.utah.edu. Besides each other, each server currently sees five on-campus sources and three off-campus sources. Please contact OITSystems@lists.utah.edu in order to make peering arrangements.
Trouble Shooting:
If you still require help, please call the Campus Help Desk at 581-4000 option 1.
