NTP
Network time sync
NTP stands for Network Time Protocol, the standard method computers use to synchronize their clocks over the internet.
NTP servers maintain accurate time by referencing atomic clocks or GPS satellites, then distribute it to client devices.
Without NTP, coordinated activities like financial transactions, security certificates, and distributed databases would fail: The server's NTP was misconfigured, causing authentication errors.
Aligning timing across systems
- stratumHorizontal layer of material
- timestampRecorded moment identifier
- UTCUniversal time standard
- RFCInternet standards document
daemon · dispersion · drift · offset · jitter · packet · UDP · adjustment
Machines providing network resources
- internetInterconnected computer systems
- latencyDelay in system response
- bandwidthData transmission capacity
- client-serverDistributed computing paradigm
packet · router · firewall · connectivity · transmission · ping · LAN · WAN
Degree of correctness
- millisecondsThousandths of a second
- microsecondsMillion per second
- nanosecondsBillionths of seconds
- atomic clockQuantum-vibration timekeeping device
calibration · measurement · chronometry · temporal · standards · GPS · cesium · rubidium
synchronization
Aligning timing across systems
RFC · daemon · dispersion · drift · offset · jitter · packet · UDP · adjustment · frequency
servers
Machines providing network resources
- internetInterconnected computer systems
- latencyDelay in system response
- bandwidthData transmission capacity
client-server · packet · router · firewall · connectivity · transmission · ping · LAN · WAN · IP address
accuracy
Degree of correctness
- millisecondsThousandths of a second
- microsecondsMillion per second
- nanosecondsBillionths of seconds
atomic clock · calibration · measurement · chronometry · temporal · standards · GPS · cesium · rubidium