[ntp:questions] General ntp architecture question

Richard B. Gilbert rgilbert88 at comcast.net
Mon Aug 16 12:42:02 UTC 2010


unruh wrote:
> On 2010-08-16, ask <ask at develooper.com> wrote:
>> On Aug 2, 1:35?am, konsu <konrad.azzopa... at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Hello list,
>>>
>>> I work for an investment bank with 300 UNIX servers, around 3000
>>> workstation PCs and would like to ask some questions to more
>>> experience users.
>>>
>>> a) Are there any banks relying on ntp pool project or should we
>>> consider having our own GPS clock ?
>> If you have any sort of legal and practical requirement for keeping
>> accurate and tracable time you need your own "stratum 1" source.
>>
>> I'd get a GPS timeserver for each physical location (unless you trust
>> your internal network very much) and then on each server and
>> workstation, as others suggested, you configure to use your various
>> GPS-based ntp servers.
>>
>> Meinberg donated a couple of GPS NTP time server to the NTP Pool
>> project and their accuracy, stability and ease of use are just
>> incredible.   The time quality is so good that ntpd even far away
>> (network wise) usually pick them despite having more nearby other
>> "good" time sources.
> 
> The problem is not with the sources. The problem is with the computer
> crystals and changes in temp. Because ntp is so so slow in converging,
> changes in temp show up at the usec level. Ie, it is easy using even
> just a GPS18 to get 10usec accuracy. At the 1us level ntp has troubles.
> (Since I believe most of the readin ability of ntp is at the 1us level,
> that is probably the goal)
> 
> 
>>
>>  - ask
>>
>>
>> --
>> http://askask.com/

If you require accuracy at the microsecond level, put your equipment in 
a controlled environment!  If the temperature in the room where the 
equipment resides is an unvarying 68 degrees F or 20 degrees C you will 
get a better and more stable time.  This may not be easy to do but it's 
essential for the very best time.  Actually just about any temperature 
that will not damage the hardware will work equally well as long as it 
does not vary minute to minute or hour to hour.




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