[ntp:questions] Re: Architecture / best practice for small/medium company setups

Brian Utterback brian.utterback at sun.removeme.com
Thu Jun 29 19:31:59 UTC 2006


Maarten Wiltink wrote:
> "Brian Utterback" <brian.utterback at sun.removeme.com> wrote in message
> news:44A3D4DF.2050808 at sun.removeme.com...
>> Maarten Wiltink wrote:

>> So, by an large, all the leaf nodes will sync with the main server,
>> as planned. However, fairly often, some will sync with the backup,
>> due to transient errors, dropped packets, whatever.
> 
> In my experience, they won't. (I have this configuration at home, with
> six leaf nodes. I'm not claiming proof, but it's a _lot_ of anecdotal
> evidence.)

I contend that that is smallest amount of anecdotal evidence you
can have. You are going by the behavior in a single environment.
My experience is both the same and opposite of yours. Yes, in
most cases, the leaf nodes will sync with primary server. However,
my experience is also that NTP will sync to the other server, and
unless you look with a microscope, you can't tell why.

Everyday I deal with customers that have NTP setups that they think
should work, that you would guess should work, but something weird is
going on and the wrong server is used, or there is a large offset,
or the clock steps, or whatever.

I tell them to configure by the four server rule, and the problem
goes away. Almost always. I never get calls from customers that
have already used the four server rule. Granted, that is
anecdotal as well.

-- 
blu

Roses are #FF0000, Violets are #0000FF. All my base are belong to you.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Brian Utterback - OP/N1 RPE, Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Ph:877-259-7345, Em:brian.utterback-at-ess-you-enn-dot-kom




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