[ntp:questions] Re: uk pool problem

Danny Mayer mayer at ntp.isc.org
Sun Sep 3 03:22:46 UTC 2006


Per Hedeland wrote:
> So is it deprecated or not? If it is, it would seem very strange to
> consider enhancements (which was the point of my tongue-in-cheek
> question earlier). Or are you saying that the *only* reason it is
> deprecated is that there is no maintainer? That would certainly be
> news...
> 
> FWIW, I can see several objectively valid reasons to deprecate ntpdate,
> and even a subjective one like "we don't like it" would have to be
> considered valid - obviously no one can *demand* that you support some
> particular piece of software (at least not without handing over money).
> 

No, my list of problems with ntpdate starts with IPv6 support and
continues with major problems with the ability to maintain the code.
Officially we want to get rid of it and replace it with something like
the sntp which is more maintainable. I'd rather spend my time right now
cleaning up ntpd and ntpq. We'd also like to get rid of ntpdc but that
requires that ntpq supports some queries that it cannot currently
handle. ntpdc uses private mode 7 packets which is much more difficult
to maintain while ntpq uses mode 6 packets.

Ultimately it is our goal to consolidate the software as much as
possible. We need to examine peoples usage of ntpdate and see if we
can't come up with something that will satisfy people needs. That's what
holding up actually getting it out of the distribution. We can't get rid
of it without having some alternative available.

Danny



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