Do I Really Need an NTP Time Server?

Posted: Nov 29, 2010 |Comments: 0 |

NTP (Network Time Protocol) is one of the oldest protocols still in use today. It was developed in the 1980's when the internet was still in its infancy and was designed to help computers synchronise together, preventing drift and ensuring devices can communicate with unreliable time causing errors.

NTP is now packaged in most operating systems and forms the basis for time synchronisation in computers, networks and other technologies. Most technologies and networks use a network time server (commonly called an NTP time server) for this task.

These time servers are external devices that receive the time from a radio frequency or GPS signal (both generated by atomic clocks). This time signal is then distributed across the network using NTP ensuring all devices are using the exact same time.

As NTP is ubiquitous in most operating systems and the internet is awash with sources of atomic clock time, this begs the question of whether NTP time servers are still necessary for modern computer networks and technology.

There are two reasons why networks should always use a NTP time server and not rely on the internet as a source of time for synchronisation. Firstly, internet time can never be guaranteed. Even if the source of time is 100% accurate and kept true (incidentally most sources of internet time are derived using an NTP time server at the host's end) the distance from the host can lead to discrepancies.

Secondly, and perhaps fundamentally more important to most business networks is security. NTP time servers work externally to the network. The source of time either radio of GPS, is secure, accurate and reliable and as it is external to the network it can't be tampered with en-route, or used to disguise malicious software and bots.

NTP servers don't require an open port in the firewall, unlike internet sources of time which can be used as an entry point by malicious users and software.

Questions and Answers

Ask
200 Characters left
Rate this Article
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 0 vote(s)
    Feedback
    Print
    Re-Publish
    Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/do-i-really-need-an-ntp-time-server-3750782.html

    Article Tags:

    lcd enclosure

    ,

    lcd enclosures

    ,

    outdoor digital signage

    ,

    outdoor tv

    ,

    outdoor digital advertising

    ,

    lcd tv enclosure

    ,

    lcd tv protection

    Richard n Williams

    Outdoor digital signage is a fast-growing new industry with potentially a lot larger audience capable of seeing the digital advertising campaign than in other forms of digital signage implementation.

    By: Richard n Williamsl Advertising> Multimedial Jan 04, 2010
    Graham Gallagher

    Advertisers are always in the market for finding the latest technologies and developments as soon as they arrive in the market. When it comes to the modern TV devices such as plasma or LCD screens as digital signage, the greatest entailing advantage of such digital signage is that it reaches a mass audience for a low cost and extremely low amount of time.

    By: Graham Gallagherl Business> Business Ideasl Jan 03, 2012
    Richard n Williams

    Digital Signage is becoming a common expression but it is really just a fancy expression to describe the use of TV systems like LCDs or plasma used for advertising, information and other messages.

    By: Richard n Williamsl Technology> Communicationl Jan 18, 2010
    Richard n Williams

    While outdoor digital signage has emerged as large sector of the total outdoor advertising market, with LCD screens placed in all sorts of locations, from high streets to train stations; advertising is not the only use for outdoor screens.

    By: Richard n Williamsl Advertising> Brandingl Dec 20, 2010

    Digital Signage is a revolution in the marketing world. It is called digital advertising or digital out of home (Dooh). People are largely reaping the benefit of this nowadays.

    By: tim warringtonl Advertisingl Apr 16, 2011
    Richard n Williams

    Getting a return on investment is vital when embarking on any marketing campaign but with such a potentially high outlay involved with the initial implementation of digital signage, establishing a ROI is vital.

    By: Richard n Williamsl Advertisingl Mar 09, 2010

    70 Percent of businessesfail in their first year of trading. Most fail as a result of poor or NO advertising strategy. Global Brands spend over $25Billion on advertising on the average, most of the budget spent on TV and outdoor advertising. This article will give you pointers on advertising on a tight budget

    By: kenneth bensonl Advertisingl May 23, 2012

    Many businesses advertise with flyers and getting them into the hands of the general public is of great importance. If the delivery people make a stuff-up in any way, it reflects badly on the company. The company will be blamed if those flyers are left to blow around the streets.

    By: John Kiml Advertisingl May 21, 2012

    Research has showed that global enterprises are quickly taking center stage in order to effectively promote their products and services.

    By: Juan Cardeansl Advertisingl May 21, 2012
    Hendrik Behrens

    Advertising today is like the weather. Everyone talks about advertising, but few entrepreneurs do enough about it to change or improve it. When you ask what the "big deal" is with advertising, that's an excellent question, because no matter how you want to view it there is one proven fact which is true of business owners and entrepreneurs worldwide... In today's recessionary spiral, every good entrepreneur wants to do more with less.

    By: Hendrik Behrensl Advertisingl May 19, 2012

    A pinback button may look very small but has a lot of significance attached to it. You may be wondering what is there in a button but a close look tells us that each button has their own unique story behind it. Every button is unique and distinct. Think of it as a small portable billboard carrying your message!

    By: Jyotsna Ramanil Advertisingl May 19, 2012
    Richard n Williams

    Digital out of home (Dooh) is one of the most effective advertising mediums in the digital age with its effectiveness surpassing that of the internet, mobile advertising and other modern ad promotions.

    By: Richard n Williamsl Advertisingl Feb 14, 2011
    Richard n Williams

    Taking a screen outdoors has many advantages, especially for advertisers. High footfall and audience numbers and the lack of other digital competition can make an outdoor digital signage campaign very rewarding.

    By: Richard n Williamsl Advertisingl Feb 14, 2011
    Richard n Williams

    Digital signage, once a novelty used by only a few advertising companies is now a mainstream form of promotion, branding and marketing with more and more screens appearing in all sorts of locations from retail stores, gas stations, bus terminals, airports and shopping malls.

    By: Richard n Williamsl Advertisingl Feb 14, 2011
    Richard n Williams

    The outdoor digital signage market is fast on the heels of indoor. Increasingly we are seeing digital outdoor signs being erected in city centres, towns and around airports and other transport hubs.

    By: Richard n Williamsl Advertisingl Feb 14, 2011
    Richard n Williams

    Over the last decade televisions have gone from merely devices for entertainment to being commonly used out of the home for advertising, promotion, branding and information.

    By: Richard n Williamsl Advertisingl Feb 14, 2011

    Discuss this Article

    Author Box
    Articles Categories
    All Categories
    Quantcast