How To Set Ntp Server On Windows 7

Most modern operating systems, including Windows, can synchronize their system time to a NTP server. Windows utilizes a fourth dimension service called 'Windows Time', which is automatically installed in the service list. The program executable is 'w32time.exe'. The service is installed and enabled by default during installation.

Windows synchronizes time in different ways, depending on the network implementation utilized. When peer-to-peer networking is employed, each private workstation sync to a time reference independently.

However, when Windows Domain Networking is deployed, simply the Main Domain Controller (PDC) synchronizes with a time reference. All other servers and workstations in the domain sync to the PDC using Windows proprietary protocol. The default installation procedure automatically configures workstations and servers to sync to the controlling PDC. Only the PDC needs to be configured to synchronize to an external time reference.
Configuring a Windows Server to Sync to an External Time Reference.

Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Server 2003

To configure a Windows PDC to synchronize with an external NTP server requires registry entry changes. When modifying registry settings, it is e'er a skillful thought to backup the current settings beforehand. Backup and modification of the registry is easily accomplished using the 'regedit' utility, which can exist run from the command line. You tin can revert back to previous settings if any issues occur with registry changes. Use the registry editor 'regedit' to modify the following entries:

1. Modify the server type to NTP.
Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Parameters\Type
Change value data to: NTP

2. Set announce flags.
Registry Key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Config\AnnounceFlags
Modify value data to: 5

3. Enable NTP server
Registry Central:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Organisation\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\TimeProviders\NtpServer
Modify value data to: one.

4. Specify the time sources.
Registry Key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Parameters
Change value data to: <peerlist>
<peerlist> is a listing of space-delimited NTP peers from which fourth dimension tin be received. If DNS names are used, you must append ',0x1' to each DNS name. Alternatively, a list of IP addresses tin can be specified.

5. Select poll interval.
Registry Key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Organization\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\TimeProviders\NtpClient\SpecialPollInterval
Change value information to: <menses>
<menstruum> is the time in seconds between each poll. Microsoft recommends a value of 900, which equates to a polling frequency of in one case every xv minutes.

half dozen. Set the fourth dimension correction settings.
These settings specify a time frame to validate time stamps received from an external reference. Merely if the received timestamp falls between these registry settings will they be accepted. It provides a facility to reject timestamps that are too far away from the hosts system time. Microsoft recommends a setting of 1 hour (3600) or 30 minutes (1800).
Registry Central:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Config\MaxPosPhaseCorrection
Change value data to: <seconds>
Where <seconds> is the maximum positive commencement of the received time postage stamp from the arrangement time.

Registry Key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Config\MaxNegPhaseCorrection
Modify value information to: <seconds>
Where <seconds> is the maximum negative beginning of the received fourth dimension stamp from the system time.

7. Restart the windows time service.
Finish and restart the Windows Time Service using the 'net stop' and 'net start' commands:
net stop w32time && internet start w32time
Synchronizing a Windows Workgroup

Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, Windows seven

When Windows for Workgroups is deployed, you take to manually configure time synchronization settings. You need to specify the time server that the Windows Time Service is to utilise as a reference clock. This is a very straightforward process; merely specify the fourth dimension reference that the host is to synchronise with using the 'net time' control:

                  Internet time \\<ntpserver> /set /yes

Where <ntpserver> is the DNS name or IP address of the time reference.

Alternatively, you can utilize the appointment and time properties applet from the control panel. Select the 'Internet Time' tab from the applet, check 'Automatically Synchronize with an Net Time Server' and enter the DNS proper noun or IP address of the server. If you select 'Update Now' the time service will endeavor to contact and synchronize with the time reference immediately.

Typical responses are:

'The time has been successfully synchronized with <ntpserver>'
This indicates that the time reference was contacted successfully and synchronization has been successful.

'An error occurred while Windows was synchronizing with <ntpserver>'
An try was made to contact the specified time reference, but no response was received.

'An error occurred while Windows was synchronizing with <ntpserver>. The time sample was rejected considering: The peer's stratum is less than the host's stratum.'
This indicates that contact was made with the specified time reference, just a trouble was detected. Generally, information technology is considering the fourth dimension reference was in an unsynchronized country.

The applet will too periodically automatically synchronize with the specified reference. The adjacent time synchronization is due to commence is displayed at the bottom of the applet's window.

About the Writer.

Andy Shinton has spent his entire career within the Information technology industry, mainly in the Time and Frequency sector. Since 2002, he has headed TimeTools Research and Development Division. Andy regularly writes white-papers and articles about NTP and Network Timing Solutions.