Search:

Home | Internet


NTP Server and Computer Timing Terminology Explained

By: David Evans

Many terms and phrases used in the network time synchronisation and NTP time server industry can seem bewildering. However, they generally relate to fairly simple concepts. This article attempts to simplify and explain the most common phrases used in computer timing applications.

NTP: NTP is the short hand name given to the Network Time Protocol; it is a standard protocol for distributing time around the internet and computer networks. Precise time is passed from accurate time references to network time clients for the purpose of synchronisation.

NTP Server: A NTP Server is a device that obtains precise time from an external timing reference such as GPS and provides a precise timing resource to computer networks.

Stratum: The Stratum or level of a NTP time server denotes its position in the network timing heirachy. A stratum 1 NTP server obtains time from an external timing reference. Stratum 2 devices obtain time from stratum 1 devices and pass timing information to the next level and so on.

Jitter: The jitter associated with a timing reference indicates the magnitude of variance, or dispersion, of the signal. Different timing references have different amounts of jitter. The more accurate a timing reference, the lower the jitter value. Jitter is usually measure in milliseconds.

Offset: Offset generally refers to the difference in time between an external timing reference and time on a local machine. The greater the offset, the more inaccurate the timing source is. Synchronised NTP servers will generally have a low offset. Offset is generally measured in milliseconds.

Delay: Delay in a NTP server describes the round-trip delay or latency of a timing message passed from client to server and back again. The delay is important so that network delays can be calculated and accounted for by a time client.

Reference Clock: A NTP reference clock is an external hardware clock that a NTP server utilises for accurate time synchronisation. GPS and radio time and frequency broadcasts are commonly used as NTP reference clocks. The NTP distribution, which is available for LINUX, provides source code to operate a large number of external reference clocks.

MSF: MSF is the call sign of a the UK time and frequency radio broadcast, which is available throughout Britain. The MSF signal is broadcast at 60kHz from Anthorn, Cumbria. NTP server systems utilise the MSF time transmission as a reference for providing accurate time. The term MSF is the call sign of the radio broadcast.

DCF-77: The DCF-77 radio time signal is broadcast from Frankfurt, Germany at 77.5Khz. The signal is a time and frequency broadcast that can be received throughout Germany and much of Western Europe. The broadcast is used by many stratum 1 NTP server systems as a precision timing reference.

GPS: The Global Positioning System (GPS) is primarily intended as a global navigation system. However, GPS also provides a highly accurate precision timing reference that can operate worldwide. GPS is a common source of time for stratum 1 NTP server systems.

To summarise, many phrases used in computer network time synchronisation and NTP server systems seem unfathomable. However, most of these phrases are used to describe a relatively simple concept.

Article Source: http://www.newagelivingarticles.com

D. Evans provides a technical authoring resource to a number of computer network time and frequency companies. Click here, for more useful information on NTP server solutions.

Please Rate this Article

 

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Internet Articles Via RSS!
Additional Articles From - Home | Internet

 Free Traffic


banner











Sign Up for a free account or learn more.
Article Directory Software
Click here to download the exact software that powers this directory for FREE. Start your own article directory today!
Google
Top Authors
Submit Articles
Member Login
Most Popular Articles
Submission Guidelines
Ezine Notifications
Article RSS Feeds
Little Book Of Becoming
Masters of the Secret
The Singularity Is Near
Distribute Your Articles to 1000's!
Wildwind Enterprises
Bookstore
About Us
Link to Us
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
LINKS

All Links DirectoryAll Links Directory is 100% SEO friendly Directory and Human Edited.

Dominate The Search Engines with this software

Make Money Being an Affiliate with this software it's easy!

Learn How to Make Daily Profits Online starting Right Now!

Idiot Proof Clickbank Trick Makes $6,513 In 24 Hours

Submit Your Articles Quick and Easy with this software!

Get Keyword Elite and never hunt for keywords again!

Gaiam.com, Inc
Spiritual Cinema Circle
Visit the metaphysical directory for a complete list of metaphysics related websites.
Royalty Free Images
NewAgeLivingArticles.com » Copyright © 2007 WildWind Enterprises
Terms of Service | Submission Guidelines | Contact Us | Link to Us| Privacy Policy | About Us | Article Submissions With A Click 100's of Sites!

Powered by Article Dashboard