Ntp Overview; Applications Of Ntp - 3Com MSR 50 Series Configuration Manual

111

NTP Overview

Applications of NTP

NTP C
ONFIGURATION
When configuring NTP, go to these sections for information you are interested in:
"NTP Overview" on page 2049
■
"Configuring the Operation Modes of NTP" on page 2055
■
"Configuring the Local Clock as a Reference Source" on page 2058
■
"Configuring Optional Parameters of NTP" on page 2059
■
"Configuring Access-Control Rights" on page 2059
■
"Configuring NTP Authentication" on page 2060
■
"Displaying and Maintaining NTP" on page 2062
■
"NTP Configuration Examples" on page 2062
■
Defined in RFC 1305, the network time protocol (NTP) synchronizes timekeeping
among distributed time servers and clients. NTP runs over the user datagram
protocol (UDP), using UDP port 123.
The purpose of using NTP is to keep consistent timekeeping among all
clock-dependent devices within the network so that the devices can provide
diverse applications based on the consistent time.
For a local system running NTP, its time can be synchronized by other reference
sources and can be used as a reference source to synchronize other clocks.
An administrator can by no means keep synchronized time among all the devices
within a network by changing the system clock on each station, because this is a
huge amount of workload and cannot guarantee the clock precision. NTP,
however, allows quick clock synchronization within the entire network while it
ensures a high clock precision.
NTP is used when all devices within the network must be consistent in
timekeeping, for example:
In analysis of the log information and debugging information collected from
■
different devices in network management, time must be used as reference
basis.
All devices must use the same reference clock in a charging system.
■
To implement certain functions, such as scheduled restart of all devices within
■
the network, all devices must be consistent in timekeeping.
When multiple systems process a complex event in cooperation, these systems
■
must use that same reference clock to ensure the correct execution sequence.