NTPklienter

NTPklienter are computer systems that use the Network Time Protocol (NTP) to synchronize their internal clocks with a reference clock or a time source on a network. This allows them to maintain accurate time and date information, even when they are not connected to a physical time source, such as a wall clock or a manual setup.

NTPklienter use algorithms to determine the accurate time by transmitting queries to NTP servers on the network, which in turn transmit their current time. The client then selects the most accurate time source, based on the client's clock accuracy, packet delay and variance, and stratum, and adjusts its clock accordingly.

NTP servers maintain a hierarchical network of clock sources, known as strata. Primary stratum 1 servers are synchronized to a highly accurate time source, such as a GPS receiver or an atomic clock, while secondary stratum 2 servers are synchronized to primary servers. The stratum is one of the key factors in determining the accuracy of the time source.

NTPklienter are widely used in various applications, such as network management, security, and distributed computing, where accurate timekeeping is essential. Examples include login, session management, and billing systems. NTPklienter can also synchronize the clocks of a cluster of computers, ensuring that all members of the cluster are at the same time, which is crucial in applications such as high-performance computing and database applications.

NTPklienter can use various types of time sources, including public NTP servers, private NTP servers, and local clock sources, such as GPS receivers or atomic clocks. They can also use pool servers to automatically select the most accurate time source from a set of multiple time sources.