NetWare Directory Services

5-8
Understanding Time Synchronization in NDS
Time Servers
Figure 5-3 Reference Time Server
Use a Reference time server when it is important to have a central point of
control for time on the network. Usually, only one Reference time server is
installed on a network. If you use more than one Reference time server on a
network, you must synchronize each Reference time server with the same
external time source, such as a radio atomic clock.
You must have at least one Primary time server that the Reference time
server can contact in order to synchronize time on the network.
Whenever Primary and Reference time servers are on a network, they must
be able to contact each other for polling and synchronization.
Secondary
Secondary time servers obtain the time from a Single Reference, Primary, or
Reference time server. They adjust their internal clocks to synchronize with
the network time, and they provide the time to client workstations.
A Secondary time server doesn’t participate in determining the correct
network time.
Secondary time servers should be close in proximity to Primary or
Reference time servers.
Secondary
servers
and clients
Reference
time server
and clients
Secondary
servers
and clients
Primary
time server
and clients
Los Angeles New York
External
time source
such as a
radio clock