In: Computer Science
Intro Large Scale Process System:
NTP:
The Network Time Protocol (NTP) is a networking protocol for clock
synchronization between computer systems over packet-switched.NTP
is one of the oldest, most-used protocols on the Internet and
is
built on the Internet Protocol (IP) and User Datagram Protocol
(UDP). It is specifically designed to maintain time accuracy and
reliability, even when used over typical Internet paths involving
multiple gateways and unreliable networks.
NTP Operations:->
NTP is not based on the principle of synchronizing machines with
each other. It is based on the principles of having all machines
get as close as possible to the correct time Universal Coordinated
Time (UTC). A basic NTP network is composed of a time server and
clients (workstations, routers, other servers, etc.). The function
of a time server is to provide accurate time to the clients.
The individual clients run a small program as a background task
that periodically queries the server for a precise UTC
time reference. These queries are performed at designated time
intervals (generally about every 15 minutes) in order
to maintain the required synchronization accuracy for the network.
The basic operation of the NTP is time stamping of
data packets transferred between the server and the client.
The order of operations is:
1. The client stamps the time when he sends an NTP request packet
to the server.
3. The server stamps the time when the NTP request packet is
received from the client.
3. The server stamps the time when he sends the NTP reply packet
back to the client.
4. The client stamps the time when this NTP reply packet is
received
similarities and differences in the way(s) NTP uses broadcast vs. Multicast protocols
1)The NTP protocol allows a broadcast method for announcing time sources.In a broadcast-based NTPassociation, an NTPserver propagates NTPbroadcast packetsthroughout a network. Broadcast clients listen for the NTP broadcast packets propagated by the NTP server and do not engage in any polling. Broadcast-based NTPassociationsshould be used when time accuracy and reliability requirements are modest and if your network is localized and has a large number of clients (more than 20). Broadcast-based NTP associations also are recommended for use on networks that have limited bandwidth, system memory, or CPU resources. Time accuracy is marginally reduced in broadcast-based NTP associations because information flows only one way. Use the broadcast client command to set your networking device to listen for NTP broadcast packets propagated through a network. For broadcast client mode to work, the broadcast server and its clients must be located on the same subnet. The time server that is transmitting NTP broadcast packets must be enabled on the interface of the given device using the broadcast command
1)The NTP protocol also allows a multicast method (IP) for announcing time sources to areas beyond just the one subnet.Multicast-based NTPassociations should be used when time accuracy and reliability requirements are modest and if your network is localized and has a large number of clients (more than 20). Multicast-based NTP associations also are recommended for use on networks that have limited bandwidth, system memory, or CPU resources. When the router operates as an NTP multicast client, it listens for NTP multicast packets that are sent by an NTP multicast server to a designated IPv4 or IPv6 multicast group IP address. When the router operates as an NTP multicast server, it sends NTP multicast messages to a designated IPv4 or IPv6 multicast group IP address.