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89-NTP Intro

Network Time Protocol (NTP) is essential for synchronizing clocks of network devices like routers and servers, ensuring accurate timestamps for logging. It operates over UDP using a hierarchical stratum system to define time source reliability, with stratum levels ranging from 0 (atomic clock) to 16 (not synchronized). NTP supports various modes including server, client, server/client, and peer, with versions 3 and 4 providing additional features like IPv6 support and enhanced security.

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12 views3 pages

89-NTP Intro

Network Time Protocol (NTP) is essential for synchronizing clocks of network devices like routers and servers, ensuring accurate timestamps for logging. It operates over UDP using a hierarchical stratum system to define time source reliability, with stratum levels ranging from 0 (atomic clock) to 16 (not synchronized). NTP supports various modes including server, client, server/client, and peer, with versions 3 and 4 providing additional features like IPv6 support and enhanced security.

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NTP (Network Time Protocol):

o NTP is a term which is stands for Network Time Protocol, use to provide Time.
o NTP is used to allow network devices to synchronize clocks with central source clock.
o NTP is very important for network devices like Routers, Switches, Severs or Firewalls.
o NTP make sure logging information and timestamps have the accurate time and date.
o Network Time Protocol (NTP) is runs over User Datagram Protocol (UDP).
o Network Time Protocol (NTP) is a protocol used on networks to maintain clock time.
o Network Time Protocol (NTP) uses a hierarchical system of time sources.
o Network Time Protocol (NTP) uses client-server architecture to work.
o Network Time Protocol (NTP) uses a well-known UDP port number 123.
o Currently there are two versions of NTP version 3 and NTP version 4.
o A Network Time Protocol (NTP) server is also referred to as an NTP Master.
o Router can be configured in three modes Server, Client and Server/Client mode.
o By default, Router works in Network Time Protocol (NTP) Server/Client mode.
o Stratum defines the reliability and accuracy of Network Time Protocol source.
o Network Time Protocol (NTP) uses of stratum 0 to stratum 15 for NTP sources.
o One 1 is the most reliable and 15 is the worst Network Time Protocol source.
o Stratum 0 represents Atomic Clock and not used in Cisco Router or Cisco Switch.
o Stratum 1 to 15 are valid levels and used in Cisco Routers and Cisco Switches.
o Stratum 16 represents Network Time Protocol (NTP) is not synchronized.
o Default stratum level of Cisco Router’s or Switches internal clock is 8.
o Syslog messages timestamp using the Network Time Protocol (NTP).

1 | P a g e Created by Ahmad Ali E-Mail: [email protected] , Mobile: 056 430 3717


NTP Stratum:
o NTP, stratum levels define the distance from the reference clock.
o A Stratum-0 device that is assumed to be most accurate and it has no delay.
o Network Time Protocol Stratum-0 servers cannot be used on the network.
o For example, a device with Network Time Protocol stratum 1 is very accurate device.
o Network Time Protocol (NTP) Stratum 1 might have an atomic clock attached to it.
o Another NTP using stratum 1 server to synchronize own time would be a stratum 2 device.
o Because stratum 2 is one Network Time Protocol (NTP) hop further away from the source.
o Configure multiple NTP servers, client will prefer NTP server with lowest stratum value.

NTP Architecture:
o NTP uses stratums 1 to 16 to define clock accuracy.
o A lower NTP stratum value represents higher accuracy.
o Clocks at NTP stratums 1 through 15 are in synchronized state.
o Clocks at Network Time Protocol stratum 16 are not synchronized.
o Stratums is like TTL number decreases every hop a packet passes by.

2 | P a g e Created by Ahmad Ali E-Mail: [email protected] , Mobile: 056 430 3717


NTP Modes:
o Cisco Routers and Cisco Switches can use four (4) different NTP modes.
o NTP Server, NTP Client, NTP Server/Client and NTP Peer or Symmetric Active mode.
NTP Server Mode:
o NTP server is a network device, which is running NTP service.
o NTP server is configured to provide Time information to NTP clients.
o NTP server provide only Time information to NTP Clients.
o NTP server never accept time synchronization information from other devices.
o NTP server mode router reads time from NTP source or uses its own clock as NTP source.
NTP Client Mode:
o NTP Client mode, Router only receives NTP updates.
o NTP Client does not advertise received updates.
o NTP Client uses them to synchronize its own clock.
NTP Server/Client Mode:
o NTP Server/Client, Router receives updates from NTP server.
o NTP Server/Client also advertises them from its own interfaces.
o NTIP Server/Client mode Cisco Router or Switch plays both roles.
o As NTP Client, it receives NTP updates & as NTP Server, it advertises NTP updates.
o NTP Server/Client mode, as an NTP Server, instead of using its own NTP Source.
o NTP router uses received NTP updates from other NTP server.
o NTP Server advertise the NTP updates to other NTP Clients.
o This feature allows using a single centralized NTP source at NTP Server.
NTP Peer Mode:
o An NTP peer does not have authority over the other.
o In NTP peer mode, each device can provide time synchronization to other.
o So, one can synchronize the other in case of failures.
NTP Master:
o To make a router to become an authoritative NTP server.
o Where internal devices can synchronize use NTP master command.
o NTP master command tells router that it is an NTP server.
o NTP server is also referred to as an NTP Master.
o If it is using its hardware clock is a reference.
NTP Versions:
o Cisco IOS use many versions, but version 3 & 4 are most commonly used.
o Version 4 supports IPv6 and is backwards compatible with NTP version 3.
o Network Time Protocol (NTP) Version 4 also adds DNS support for IPv6.
o Another difference is that NTPv3 use broadcast messages & NTPv4 use multicast.
o NTPv4 also allows for increased security using public key cryptography and certificates.

3 | P a g e Created by Ahmad Ali E-Mail: [email protected] , Mobile: 056 430 3717

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