Stop 2003 server (part of domain) from synchronizing time

[Daniel Simard]

I have a 2003 server that is part of a domain. I want to be able to change the time of this server and the date of + 60 days etc.. -60 days etc..

can i do this while it still is part of the domain?

[Rune J. Winje]

You can stop the w32time service to prevent the computer from synchronizing time. Also you can set your own time server with the
net time /setsntp ...
command.
See here for more info http://www.beaglesoft.com/clwaw32time.htm

However there are some caveats:
* Communication with domain controllers. The default allowable time skew for domain members is 5 minutes. Outsite this there will be authentication problems.

* License protection in software: Be aware that some licensed software may be time limited and irrevocably expire the license if changed into the future. Likewise other software may allow you to set a future date without problems but disallow setting the time back.

* AD tombstone interval is 60 days. Be very careful if changing times on domain controllers since the tombstone interval is 60 days. (AD objects flagged for deletion will be deleted after the tombstone interval). Also there are things like machine account domain trust etc which is 7 days... meaning trust with the domain could be broken. Will also probably affect things like AD replication etc. In short - keep the time of domain controllers in sync!


Cheers,
Rune