A typical network time synchronization scenario is depicted in the diagram shown below.  Each workstation synchronizes to a central time server on the corporate LAN. This guarantees a coherent propagation of time to all clients. The corporate time server synchronizes to one or more atomic clocks on the global internet using the Network Time Protocol and offers time services to clients/workstations. Time services may be offered according to one or more of the common time protocols depending on the accuracy desired. PresenTense Time Client operates as a true system service on Windows NT / 2000 / XP / 2003 / Vista operating systems to synchronize their system clocks to a corporate time server. Although a corporate time server is not necessary, it is recommended. Disadvantages with configuring each time client to synchronize to internet based time servers are: 1. Increased bandwidth demands and costs 2. Due to traffic, some time servers block a site which has too many clients synchronizing 3. Less coherent time across LAN due to internet delays For optimum security and accuracy, a GPS Master Clock connected to PresenTense Time Server is recommended as the primary time source for PresenTense Time Clients. The advantages of this are: 1. Secure, no need for access through corporate firewalls 2. Operates in environments where no internet access is available 3. More accurate as internet jitter is eliminated 4. Fault tolerant as there are no external dependencies |