NTP

[oramacs]

Hello,

I have a question about NTP ( Network time Protocol).

~ What information does it provide to my switches?

I recently inherited a network, that to say the least I am not sure how it is working. I connected to a switch today and it thought it was 1993. I want to standarize on our domain controller as being the NTP server, but I wasnt sure what all information it would provide to my switches. our HQ is on the east coast and some of our wan sites are on the west coast. I am open to thoughts on how to best standaridize on NTP so all my swithces are in sync to time, month, day, year, daylight savings time. I have resad some dos about NTP, but have not found a plain answer.

thanks in advance for you assistance.

 

[VinceWhirlwind]

Your switches should be configured with:
- an NTP server
- a time zone

The NTP server should be configured with a time source (an upstream NTP server on the internet, or a GPS device, Caesium clock, etc...)

The Switches check in with the NTP server and synchronise time periodically. The time they display is modified by the time zone you apply to them.

NTP affects your logging: each line should have a time/date on it.
NTP can also affect some security applications (encryption and key exchanges), although I'm not sure I've ever come across this on a switch.

NTP has no effect on the core functions your switch performs at layer-2. Or layer-3 even.

 

[oramacs]

Thx Vince