Windows 2000 Server Network Time Protocol
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server uses a simplified variant of the standard Network Time Protocol called Simple NTP. Using the Windows Time Service in Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, administrators can set their server up to query a public or private time server so the server will automatically maintain an accurate time. NTP is useful in any network environment where multiple servers need to be continuously synchronized based on a specific time table.
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Network Time Protocol
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NTP uses the User Datagram Protocol on port 123. The protocol is well established, having been in use since 1985, so there are a number of global servers you can use to synchronize your own servers. NTP uses Coordinated Universal Time when transmitting the date and time, letting the client system take care of time zones on its own. NTP is typically guaranteed to be accurate within 10 milliseconds.
Simple Network Time Protocol
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Since Microsoft Windows Server 2000 only provides support for SNTP, it's important to understand the difference between NTP and the SNTP variant. NTP stores additional time data where SNTP does not. This drops the accuracy of the timing, but provides for less data overhead than NTP. Furthermore, Microsoft Windows Server 2000 does not implement some of the standards laid out by NTP within the SNTP protocol. This may cause conflicts with some services.
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Console Configuration
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The easiest way to work with NTP under Microsoft Windows Server 2000 is through the console. Launch a console window by pressing the Windows Meta key and "R" simultaneously, then type "cmd" and press the "Enter" key. Type "net time /querysntp" to query the currently configured NTP server, or type "net time /setsntp:server.com" to set "server.com" as the NTP server to query. Restart the NTP service with "net stop w32time && net start w32time" once modifications are finished.
Graphical Configuration
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In addition to the console. NTP can be configured using the graphical user interface administration tools that allow editing of the Windows registry. Press the Windows Meta key and "R" simultaneously, then type "regedit" and press the "Enter" key. Click through the hierarchical key structure to "HKEY LOCAL MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Parameters" then right-click the "NTPServer" key and click the "Edit" option in the context menu. Enter the domain name or IP address of the NTP server you want to synchronize with, then save the registry changes and exit. Restart the NTP service with "net stop w32time && net start w32time" from the console once modifications are finished.
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