What Is NTP? Network Time Protocol Explained
NTP (Network Time Protocol) is one of the oldest parts of the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP) suites. NTP is a networking protocol used to synchronize the time on computer clocks in a network. Network Time Protocol is often underestimated, yet critical systems rely on it everyday. So, what is NTP?
What Is NTP? A Simple Definition
What Is The Safest Way To Implement NTP
The Benefits Of Buying An NTP Time Server – A Summary
What Is NTP? A Simple Definition
Network Time Protocol (NTP) synchronizes time across a computer network. As a result, NTP makes sure that each device you connect to a network displays the most accurate time.
So, if you depend on accurate time to run your business, NTP will ensure that time is synchronized for every device connected to your computer network. In other words, your organization will become more time efficient and coordinated.
Why Is NTP Important?
Without NTP a number of time critical systems would experience uncoordinated time.
It’s no exaggeration to say that the results of unsynchronized time affecting such systems could be catastrophic.
For example, millions of people travel by air. Air traffic control systems rely on perfectly coordinated time because flight paths need very accurate timing to avert the collision of aeroplanes.
As a result, NTP helps to prevent disaster when it comes to air travel. But, why is it crucial to your computer network?
Here are five reasons why…
1. File System Updates
To carry out critical file system updates across multiple computers at the same time, your computers rely on synchronized clock times. This requires network time protocol to be in place.
File system updates are often carried out in the background while a computer is operating. If you do not synchronize your computer network, vital system updates will not occur at the same time. As a result, you expose computers and files to hackers.
2. Timestamps
When you send or receive an email it has a timestamp, but how accurate is it? NTP will ensure that the timestamp on an email is precise. If an accurate time record of email correspondence is vital to your business, NTP will ensure that the moment you send or receive an email, the correct time is on it.
The benefit of this is that you can prove the times at which you send or receive emails if someone happened to question it.
3. Security
Where there are computer networks, there are hackers. However, accurate time allows you to track security breaches. Proving the time at which your system was hacked, beyond any doubt, could be the deciding factor in bringing a culprit to justice.
4. Network Usage
Is your network experiencing unexplained, unauthorised network usage? Accurate time can track exactly when this is happening. Therefore, you can pinpoint the source and prevent it from happening.
5. Improve Business Efficiency
If all clocks are synchronized, your entire personnel are working to the same timeframe. As a result, your company hits deadlines more consistently, improving business efficiency and giving you a reputation for good timekeeping with your customers.
What Is The Safest Way To Implement NTP?
Buy a dedicated NTP time server!
If you’re obtaining time from the Internet, a network time server, such as the Galleon NTS-6001 NTP time server, protects your computer network.
Most importantly, you can install a network time server within your firewall. Consequently, you minimize the risk of security threats, while accurate time across your computer network is maximized.
The Benefits Of Buying An NTP Time Server – A Summary
– The installation of an NTP time server, behind your firewall, safeguards your network from the threats of getting time from the Internet.
– You avoid the hassle of having to reconfigure your firewall or router, sometimes needed, to allow devices on your network access to an Internet time server.
– Just one, dedicated network time server can keep all your servers, computers and network devices synchronized to within milliseconds of each other.
This article, brought to you by Galleon Systems
Galleon Systems provides premium time synchronization products offering superb value. You can rest assured that you’re buying quality because some of the world’s biggest brands trust Galleon Systems’ products for their accurate time needs, including:
– Tesco
– Vodafone
– The Bank of England
– Buckingham Palace
Act now to achieve accurate time. Visit the Galleon Systems website – www.galsys.co.uk – for a free, no obligation quote…
