Anyone knows or recommends a UK Public Time Server?

[charlie_bulosan]

Hi,

Anyone knows or recommends a UK Public Time Server?


Many Thanks,
Charlie

[H.Merijn Brand (procura]

Why UK? Use the pool!

1.pool.ntp.org
2.pool.ntp.org
3.pool.ntp.org
4.pool.ntp.org

Enjoy, Have FUN! H.Merijn

[charlie_bulosan]

Hi Procura,

The reason behind is I'm in the UK.

An HP guide recommends this.

"You must always select a time server that is physically close to your
network; otherwise, it may lead to poor network connectivity and delays.
You must also consider the network path that a packet needs to travel,
because if a time server is physically close but takes excessive number of
hops to reach, you may experience network delays."


Thanks for prompt response.

[H.Merijn Brand (procura · Accepted solution]

In that case, http://www.pool.ntp.org/zone/uk will redirect you to:

United Kingdom â uk.pool.ntp.org

There are 55 active servers in this zone.

To use this pool zone, add the following to your ntp.conf file:
server 0.uk.pool.ntp.org
server 1.uk.pool.ntp.org
server 2.uk.pool.ntp.org

Enjoy, Have FUN! H.Merijn

[James R. Ferguson]

Hi Charilie:

See:

http://ntp.isc.org/bin/view/Servers/NTPPoolServers

Regards!

...JRF...

[H.Merijn Brand (procura]

Nice to see that all the links in JRF's link to the official site refer to the pool site I proposed :)

Enjoy, Have (synchronized) FUN! H.Merijn

[charlie_bulosan]

Thanks Procura and James for the prompt response.

[charlie_bulosan]

Thanks Procura and James.

I've read the page How do I use the pool, and they also recommend to use the Time Server of your ISP as one of your Time Server.

[charlie_bulosan]

Thanks Procura and James.

I've read the page How do I use the pool, and they also recommend to use the Time Server of your ISP as one of your Time Server.


Regards,
Charlie

[Bill Hassell]

You use the pool by simply inserting the names of the servers (always specify several) into /etc/ntp.conf. And if your ISP has an NTP server, insert that into your ntp.conf file (get the name from your ISP). The HP guide is somewhat dated as the NTP protocol is designed to handle variations in network delays. Indeed, some pathways to a regional or country location may have more instability than one located on another continent. That's the reason for the pool and the use of multiple NTP servers. The NTP protocol will evaluate the pathway accuracy and stability of all servers and use the most reliable one(s). The ntpq -p comand will show you the stats for each server.

[H.Merijn Brand (procura]

Add them to /etc/ntp.conf

# cat /etc/ntp.conf
server 0.uk.pool.ntp.org
server 1.uk.pool.ntp.org
server 2.uk.pool.ntp.org
#

Enjoy, Have FUN! H.Merijn

[charlie_bulosan]

Thanks for explaining the details Bill.

[charlie_bulosan]

Hi,

Do you know any big companies using these time servers - pool.ntp.org?


Many Thanks,
Charlie

[Bill Hassell]

The pool NTP sources are a collection of hundreds of timeserver sites so many bug companies are probably using one or more of the pool sources. The idea is to spread out the load and to minimize loss of a specific server. There is no reason not to use the pool sources. As far as accuracy, virtually all servers have traceability to an atomic standard. A few may use inexpensive GPS sources which are accurate to a few seconds but most NTP servers are accurate to a fraction of a second. Check out the NTP pool at http://www.pool.ntp.org/