NTP

NTP, or Network Time Protocol, is a networking protocol used to synchronize the clocks of computers and other devices over a packet-switched, variable-latency data network. Developed in 1985 by David L. Mills at the University of Delaware, NTP is one of the oldest Internet protocols still in widespread use, providing accurate and reliable timekeeping across diverse systems.

The primary function of NTP is to coordinate time within a network by exchanging timestamped messages between client and server devices. This synchronization process accounts for network delays and jitter, enabling systems to maintain time accuracy typically within milliseconds over the Internet and even better within local networks. NTP operates in a hierarchical system of strata, with stratum 0 being high-precision timekeeping devices such as atomic clocks or GPS clocks. Stratum 1 servers connect directly to these sources, and lower strata servers synchronize with higher levels, creating a layered structure that ensures wide coverage and precise time distribution.

NTP supports various features, including authentication to verify server identities, use of multiple time sources for redundancy, and algorithms to adapt to changing network conditions. Its widespread adoption ensures consistency in time-sensitive applications, such as financial transactions, logging, telecommunications, and scientific research.

As an open standard, NTP is implemented in numerous open-source and commercial software solutions. Its importance in ensuring synchronized time across digital systems continues to grow, especially with the increasing reliance on cloud services, IoT devices, and automated systems that depend on precise timing for security, coordination, and data integrity.