Windows 2003 domain Time Synchronization

[mlc9]

My entire Windows domain (2003 servers & WinXP clients) has their system time off by 5 minutes. The primary DC that acts as time server appears to be doing so via the internet and an external time source. At least I think so. Below are its registry settings:

HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Config\AnnounceFlags = Value data is 5

HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Parameters\Type = NTP

HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Parameters\NtpServer = 216.200.93.8

Judging from the above settings, I beleive the time is synchonized with server(s) in Virginia. Given that it is 5 minutes off, what does anybody suggest? Shall I specify a different IP address of a different external server? Shall I just synch interneally by CMOS clock, and if so, what do I need to change? Our domain is relatively small (Primary and secondary DC, 6 more servers, and about 90 WinXP clients). I ask all of this b/c the last thing I want to do is screw up the time synchronization, knowing how much Windows relies on this. Thanks in advance

 

[Davetoo]

From a command prompt you enter net time /querysntp, that will give you the tiem server you're synching with. If you want to set it to a different source (read here:

http://www.pool.ntp.org/zone/us),

then you'll issue a net time /setsntp:etc command.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

 

[mlc9]

Yes, by doing the SNTP query command, I am synching with the IP address in Virginia I gave earlier. Given that, I am still puzzled by the fact that our time is off 5 minutes from

http://www.time.gov

Does anybody think just synching with a differnt server via the internet will help? If so, I was just going to change the IP address in the registry key, and then restart Windows Time from the local services list. Thoughts?

 

[LawnBoy]

From what I can see 216.200.93.8 (nist1-dc.witime.net) is not currently proving NTP. That would explain why your clocks are off. Try polling from a different server.

I use 129.6.15.28 (time-a.nist.gov).

NTP Server Tool is a free utility that will let you query any NTP server.

http://www.dirfile.com/ntp_server_tool.htm

"We must fall back upon the old axiom that when all other contingencies fail, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." - Sherlock Holmes

 

[LawnBoy]

err, change "proving" to "providing".


"We must fall back upon the old axiom that when all other contingencies fail, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." - Sherlock Holmes