
TCP, FTP, TFTP, Telnet, NTP, and NetBIOS over IP Concepts
117358-A Rev. A 2-15
NTP Overview
The Network Time Protocol (NTP) synchronizes the timing of internal clocks of
various internet devices across large, diverse networks to universal standard time.
NTP runs over UDP, which in turn runs over IP. The NTP protocol specification is
documented in RFC 1305.
Each internet device on the network contains an internal system clock that is used
to maintain accurate time for the internet device. The internal system clock on
most local devices is set by eye or by wristwatch to within a minute or two of the
actual time and is rarely reset at regular intervals. Many of these clocks are
battery-backed devices that use room temperature clock oscillators that can drift
as much as several seconds each day. NTP solves this problem by automatically
adjusting the time of the internet devices so they are synchronized within
milliseconds.
The current implementation of NTP supports only NTP Client mode. In this
mode, the local NTP client, which runs on a router, accepts time information from
other remote time servers and adjusts its clock accordingly. However, the NTP
local client will not attempt to synchronize another device’s clock.
Understanding NTP Terminology
An NTP peer can be any Internet device that runs NTP software. However, the
current implementation of NTP refers to peers as remote time servers that provide
time information to other time servers on the internet and to the local NTP client.
An NTP client refers to the local internet device -- in this case a router -- that
accepts time information from other remote time servers.
NTP System Implementation Model
NTP is based on a hierarchical model that consists of a local NTP client, which
runs on the router, and a number of remote time servers. The NTP client sends
requests for time information (NTP messages) to and receives time information
from one or more remote time servers on the Internet. The local NTP client
reviews the time information from all available time servers and synchronizes its
internal clock to the time servers whose time is most accurate. The NTP client
does not forward time information to other internet devices running NTP.
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