time server

  • Thread starter Thread starter ScottL
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ScottL

I have an authoritative time server (windows 2000 server)
on my network. I would like to know a way I can set my
local XP professional automatically (possibly check it
once or twice a day).

I tried using the net time /set command but that requires
the user to press the enter key.

Thank you


Scott
 
ScottL said:
I have an authoritative time server (windows 2000 server)
on my network. I would like to know a way I can set my
local XP professional automatically (possibly check it
once or twice a day).

I tried using the net time /set command but that requires
the user to press the enter key.

Thank you


Scott
Click to expand...

Use the Task Scheduler to run a batch file once every
so often to set the time.
 
Just make sure the "Windows Time Service" is started and running and
everything is automatic. You need to nothing else. XP will automatically
sync time, as required, with your W2K box. The WTS is started and running
by default upon installation. I will already be running unless you have
disabled it. Note: this requires port 123 to be open. Make sure your
firewall is not blocking it.

-Frank
 
Oh... BTW, sorry, but my comments below are only true if your W2K box is a
domain controller and the XP box is a member of that domain. I assumed it
was. But... only you know for sure :)

-Frank
 
Frank -

So if I use the command net time /setsntp:server_list on
the w2k server and the wts is running on the local XP box,
the local xp box will automatically sync the time? how
often does this occur?

Scott
 
The default I believe is once a day.
You can set Period at tip 2273 in the 'Tips & Tricks' at http://www.jsiinc.com


Frank -

So if I use the command net time /setsntp:server_list on
the w2k server and the wts is running on the local XP box,
the local xp box will automatically sync the time? how
often does this occur?

Scott
Click to expand...


Jerold Schulman
Windows: General MVP
JSI, Inc.
http://www.jsiinc.com
 
Yes and no. It will only occur automatically if the time server is a domain
controller. All XP boxes (and W2K workstations) will attempt to sync with a
domain controller with no particular action on your part (by default). The
standard routine is to use the command you mention on the domain controller
to get UTC sync from an outside source to the domain controller. Then,
nothing needs to be done to the workstations. All automatic.

If you are not using a domain controller for this, you will have to set each
client (using the command you reference) to sync to the server running the
time server.

Do NOT confuse this with the "net time /set \\computername" command.
Entirely different animal. The "net time /set \\computername" command DOES
NOT use the time service at all. It simply syncs time to whatever computer
name you insert. It is only a NetBIOS command, rather than the actual
Internet time service standardof sntp. The time service uses the standard
network time service protocol (sntp - "simple network time protocol") on UDP
port 123.

As far as how often sntp syncs, that is very complex. It can sync as often
as every hour or so, or, after stabilized, sync only every day or so. It
even makes drift corrections and syncs more often or less often depending on
how much drift occurs between specific syncs. You might want to read more
about it on the Microsoft site
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/randz/protocol/sntp.asp
It's been a while since I looked into this.

-Frank
 
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