New Training: Describe and Configure the Network Time Protocol (NTP)

In this 5-video skill, CBT Nuggets trainer Jeremy Cioara teaches you how to configure Network Time Protocol (NTP) in a single master or NTP peer scenario. Watch this new Cisco training.

Watch the full course: Cisco CCNP Enterprise Core

This training includes:

• 5 videos
• 25 minutes of training

You’ll learn these topics in this skill:

• Introduction – Describe and Configure the Network Time Protocol (NTP)
• Why Use Time Synchronization?
• How NTP Works
• Base NTP Configuration
• NTP Stratum Preference and Peers

What is the NTP Stratum Model?

The NTP Stratum Model is a means of organizing time servers in an NTP network within a hierarchy, so that NTP clients can evaluate the most accurate time source, and to prevent timing loops. The model uses levels, which range from 0 to 15. These levels represent the relative distance of a particular device to a reference clock, from near to far.

A Stratum 0 device is the clock itself, such as an atomic or GPS clock. It is used as a reference clock for a Stratum 1 server, which offers the most accurate time in an NTP network. These servers, in turn, distribute time to Stratum 2 servers and clients. The lower the Stratum number, the lower the accuracy of the time. Because of this, clients using NTP protocol cannot accept times from a Stratum 15 device.

A group of Stratum devices that are on the same level are called NTP peers.