[time-nuts] Re: NTP server source needed

[Steven Sommars]

Though I don't have a Time Machines NTP server I've monitored them for
several years and have seen a number of "off by N-seconds" errors.
The manufacturer reproduced the problem and released new firmware for the
TM2000B.  I don't know the status of other models.
I would be hesitant to trust the server when the GPS signal is marginal.

I have a local LeoNTP server.  Though it uses a different chipset than the
Time Machines TMxxxx, it also exhibits off by N-seconds.
I've seen similar errors for several other public LeoNTP servers, including
some of the ntpX.leontp.com servers.
When I degrade the GPS signal the N-second errors become more frequent.  A
typical NTP server will indicate potential loss of accuracy by setting the
alarm bit or increasing root dispersion.  The LeoNTP does neither, instead
it decreases the NTP "precision" field.  [The value itself is bogus.]
The machine's physical design is nice, the performance is excellent.  I
wish the timestamps were more trustworthy.

Steve Sommars





On Thu, Apr 21, 2022 at 8:20 PM Paul Watts <rpwatts at gmail.com> wrote:

> Thanks for the reply, Forrest.
>
> I do have a TM1000(model number?) but I thought they were out of stock.
> Their website currently claims otherwise and I'll probably get another.
>
> I do have systems at each site running NTP against my local LeoNTP devices
> and the US NTP pool.
>
> I just like to have a local source as well as remote.
>
> Recently, I learned about the Centerlclick NTP250. Anyone have any
> experience?
>
> On Thu, Apr 21, 2022 at 12:09 Forrest Christian (List Account) <
> lists at packetflux.com> wrote:
>
> > Time machines makes a similar box.
> >
> > However, one would expect that with that many devices at a site one could
> > find a couple of devices which could run a ntp server along with their
> > normal workload.
> >
> > On Thu, Apr 21, 2022, 2:23 AM Paul Watts <rpwatts at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > > Long time lurker, first time poster.
> > >
> > > In the past, I've purchased the LeoNTP server to act as a local time
> > server
> > > on my work network. Unfortunately, those NTP servers aren't available
> to
> > > order.
> > >
> > > I'm in need of two - three more NTP servers for various locations.
> > >
> > > Do any of you have an alternate NTP server recommendation?
> > >
> > > 1. I'd like to keep the price less than $1,000. The Leo's were a great,
> > > self contained choice at less than $400.
> > > 2. Support for IPv4 is required and IPv6 is desired. The main
> > shortcoming I
> > > have with the Leo's is no support for IPv6.
> > > 3. I'll serve about 150 clients per site from a given NTP server. My
> NTP
> > > clients are a combination of Windows and Linux computers along with
> > various
> > > types of network gear (Cisco, Palo Alto, Aruba, Juniper). The Leo's
> don't
> > > even breathe hard at that level.
> > > 4. No PTP support is required. My timing needs are IT related - log
> > > consistency, security protocol requirements, etc.
> > > 4. I'm not interested in building and using something like a Raspberry
> > Pi.
> > > I'll be sending these to remote sites and don't want to worry about
> > issues
> > > like memory card failures and the hobbyist feel of many Pi cases and
> > > cooling options. That's fine for my home but not for work.
> > > 5. Availability is important.
> > >
> > > Any suggestions are welcome.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Paul Watts.
> > > _______________________________________________
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> --
> Paul Watts.
> rpwatts at gmail.com
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