New/Edit source time server in the synchronization queue

You can use the "New source time server in the synchronization queue" dialog box to create a source time server definition to the "Source time servers queue" list box in the "Client - Unicast/Manycast" page on the "Main window". To access the "New source time server in the synchronization queue" dialog box, click on the "New..." button in the "Client - Unicast/Manycast" page on the "Main window". Alternatively, in the "Client - Unicast/Manycast" page on the "Main window", you can right-click on the "Source time servers queue" list box then click on the "New..." menu item in the content menu to open the "New source time server in the synchronization queue" dialog box.

Once created, you can use the "Edit source time server in the synchronization queue" dialog box to modify the source time server definition which you previously defined, too. To access the "Edit source time server in the synchronization queue" dialog box, in the "Client - Unicast/Manycast" page on the "Main window", highlight the source time server definition which you want to modify from the "Source time servers queue" list box then click on the "Edit..." button. Alternatively, in the "Client - Unicast/Manycast" page on the "Main window", you can right-click on a source time server definition then click on the "Edit..." menu item in the content menu to open the "Edit source time server in the synchronization queue" dialog box in order to modify the source time server definition. Or double-click on a source time server definition which you want to modify in the "Client - Unicast/Manycast" page on the "Main window" to open the "Edit source time server in the synchronization queue" dialog box.

General

Specifies the bacic settings of the source time server definition in the panel.

Name

Specifies the name of the source time server definition. This field is required. You can use this field to type in a descriptive name that will help you to recognize this time server definition later on.

Protocol

Specifies the protocol of the source time server definition. Three time protocols are supported by this client, including the NTP/SNTP protocol, the Time protocol and the UnixTime protocol. We suggest the NTP/SNTP protocol since it provides the greatest degree of precision. If an NTP/SNTP server is not available, then try the Time protocol or the UnixTime protocol.

Host

Specifies the host address of the source time server definition, which may be either an IP address or a domain name such as the "170.222.64.130", "clepsydra.dec.com", and the "255.255.255.255". This field is required.

Note:

If the "Protocol" field is set to "NTP/SNTP" and the "Mode" field is set to "Manycast", you may specify a local broadcast, a global broadcast address or a multicast group address in here, such as the 192.168.255.255, 255.255.255.255, and the 224.0.1.1.

Port

Specifies the port number of the source time server definition. This field is required. By default, the port 37 is used for Time protocol, the port 123 is used for NTP/SNTP protocol, and the port 519 is used for UnixTime protocol.

Mode

If the "Protocol" field is set to "NTP/SNTP", use the field to specify the work mode of the source time server definition, typical values include the "Unicast" and the "Manycast". In unicast mode, the client sends a request to the unicast server and expects a reply from that server in order to synchronize the system clock. In manycast mode, the client sends a request to the broadcast/multicast address taht's specified in "Host" field, and expects a reply from one or more manycast servers. The client uses the first reply received to synchronize the system clock. Later replies from this server or any other server are ignored.

If the "Protocol" field is set to "Time" or "UnixTime", use the field to specify the IP mode of the source time server definition, typical values include the "UDP" and the "TCP".

Manycast TTL

This field is only available if the "Protocol" field is set to "NTP/SNTP" and the "Mode" field is set to "Manycast". The manycast client will send synchronization request with the given TTL (time-to-live) value. It is a number that dictates how many router hops the request packet is allowed to make. The scope of the request packet send is governed by the TTL value. It is important to adjust the TTL field to a reasonable value if specify a multicast group address in the "Host" field, in order to limit the network resources used by the manycast client. Only cooperating manycast servers in scope will reply to the client request. See also the table below about the TTL value.

TTL valueScope
0Restricted to the same host.
1Restricted to the same subnet.
32Restricted to the same site.
64Restricted to the same region.
128Restricted to the same continent.
255Unrestricted.

Note:

The scope will always be restricted to same subnet if specify the global broadcast address or a local broadcast address in the "Host" field such as the 255.255.255.255, 192.168.255.255, and the 192.168.1.255.

NTP version

This field is only available if the "Protocol" field is set to "NTP/SNTP". It specifies the version number that's used by unicast/manycast client, typical values include "NTP/SNTP Version 3" and "NTP/SNTP Version 4". See also the table below about the client version and server version.

  Client
Version 3Version 4
Server Version 3 (RFC-1769) Work under Version 3 (RFC-1769)Don't work
Version 4 (RFC-2030) Work under Version 3 (RFC-1769) Work under Version 4 (RFC-2030)
Version 4 (RFC-4330) Work under Version 3 (RFC-1769) Work under Version 4 (RFC-4330)

Options

Specifies the additional settings for the source time server definition.

Always re-resolver the anycast server

This option is only available if the "Protocol" field was set to "NTP/SNTP" and the "Mode" field was set to "Manycast". If the box is checked on, the multicast IP address of the manycast time server which specified in "Host" field will be used on each synchronization session with the source time server definition. If the box is checked off, it will only be used on the first time synchronization session with the source time server definition, and then the source IP address of first response will be used until the application exits.

Active

Checking the box allows this source time server definition to be used by the unicast/manycast client when synchronize the local system clock. Alternatively, you can check the box left of the source time server name in the "Source time servers queue" list box in the "Client - Unicast/Manycast" page on the "Main window" in order to active it.

Comment

In this box, you can specify a comment text for the source time server definition.

Find time servers in LAN...

Click on the button to open the "Find time servers in LAN" window. All of the unicast and manycast NTP/SNTP protocol, UDP and TCP unicast Time protocol, and UDP and TCP unicast UnixTime protocol time servers that have been built by the Net Time Server & Client in the LAN will be listed in it. you can choose one from it to fill into the dialog box.

OK

In the "New source time server in the synchronization queue" dialog box, click on the button to create the source time server definition and close the dialog box.

In the "Edit source time server in the synchronization queue" dialog box, click on the button to fully save all changes of the source time server definition and close the dialog box.

Apply

In the "New source time server in the synchronization queue" dialog box, click on the button to create the source time server definition.

In the "Edit source time server in the synchronization queue" dialog box, click on the button to fully save all changes of the source time server definition.

Cancel

In the "New source time server in the synchronization queue" dialog box, click on the button to close the dialog box without performing any action. No source time server definition is created.

In the "Edit source time server in the synchronization queue" dialog box, click on the button to cancel any changes to the current source time server definition and close the dialog box.

Help

Press the button to open the help window.

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