[ntp:questions] comparing 2 NTP implementations

Ryan Malayter malayter at gmail.com
Sun Jan 27 19:30:51 UTC 2008


On Jan 26, 7:05 pm, folk... at vanheusden.com (Folkert van Heusden)
wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I would like to compare 2 NTP implementations. What would be the best
> way?
> I was thinking of configuring 7 upstream servers on these 2 physical
> servers and then on a third pc (which is also synced against these 7)
> check the difference?
>

I assume you want to compare how the NTP implementations "appear" to
the rest of the local network. If so, the 3rd PC would really need a
GPS-disciplined clock to be considered a reliable "witness". Even
then, the variations in network conditions the servers would
experience could be problematic, even if they are configured with the
same upstream reference servers.

And of course, you would want to flip-flop the two machines halfway
through the experiment to be sure the NTP implementation, and not the
differing hardware, is the source of any observerd differences.

To really do it "right" would require a lot of laboratory equipment,
or so I am guessing.

Regards,
Ryan




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