Chapter 13. Network Time Protocol (NTP)

Terms you'll need to understand:

• /etc/inet/ntp.conf

• Drift

• NTP client

• NTP peer server

• NTP time server

• Reference clock

• Strata

• Stratum levels

Concepts you'll need to master:

• Describe the purpose, features, and functions of NTP, and define NTP terms.

• Explain how to configure an NTP server and an NTP client.

• Explain how to view logs and use snoop to troubleshoot an NTP problem.

Time is a critical part of operating in a networked environment, particularly when so many time-critical applications are in operation. This chapter describes the Network Time Protocol (NTP), which achieves the best possible time synchronization among machines connected to a network.