[ntp:questions] Simple but good NTP server

Richard B. Gilbert rgilbert88 at comcast.net
Mon Jan 25 15:37:59 UTC 2010


David J Taylor wrote:
> 
> "Uwe Klein" <uwe_klein_habertwedt at t-online.de> wrote in message 
> news:r91037-grd.ln1 at klein-habertwedt.de...
>> David J Taylor wrote:
> []
>>> I would still very much like to have a low-powered (watts) system 
>>> running NTP perhaps with a good (for timekeeping) FreeBSD version. 
>>> Something the size of a home router, with a serial port for the GPS. 
>>> Looking for better than (say) ten microsecond accuracy.  About US 
>>> $100-150.
>>>
>> Unpack and Work or Fiddle a Bit ?
>>
>> For Fiddle a Bit:
>> There is a wide spectrum of hardware available.
>> Take any of the Low Cost Thin clients ( Linux on ARM )
>> Take any of the "InternetRadio" sets ( same, Linux on ARM )
>>
>> Take any of the Low Cost Router/WlanAccessPoint Hardware that
>> can have OpenWRT or similar installed. ( Linux on usually ARM )
>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_router_or_firewall_distributions
>> Some even have ntpd in their package repository ;-)
>>
>> uwe
> 
> Thanks for that, Uwe.  Ideally, unpack and work!
> 
> A lot of hardware either doesn't have the serial port, or is grossly 
> over-priced (as it may be intended for "industrial" applications).
> 
> I think I would want a ready-to-run NTP, as I don't "do" Linux.  
> Something configurable via a Web interface.
> 
> Routers would indeed be a good choice, but there are hundreds!  Someone 
> must have already researched the possibilities and be able to advise 
> models with a serial port and quality NTP?
> 

Routers usually do not make good GPS clocks!  If they are functioning as 
routers they have work to do and time keeping is not a priority.

Used computers (X86) are available for free if you don't mind "dumpster 
diving" for them.  You can run Solaris on one.  Solaris, is not Linux 
but it looks like Linux and uses something close to the Linux command 
line interface.  You may find that it's better documented than Linux.

It's a commercial O/S and supported by the vendor.  Support, if you need 
it, will cost you money.

If your objection to Linux is based on the user interface and/or the 
libraries and tools you are probably "SOL"; the only viable alternative 
is some flavor of Windows!

NTP is pretty much the same no matter what platform you run it on.  The 
O/S vendor may add a coat of paint or some bells and whistles but that's 
probably the ONLY difference.




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