Computer Network Time Synchronization takes a broad look at the architecture, protocols, and algorithms involved in time dissemination, distribution, and synchronization.

Features:

• Examines the technological infrastructure of time dissemination, distribution, and synchronization
• Describes design network configuration options appropriate for public and private NTP networks
• Demonstrates how to predict and calibrate performance based on statistics from NTP clients and servers
• Provides a basis to evaluate the cryptanalytic strengths and vulnerabilities of the NTP model
• Explains the operating principles of NTP and how the protocol works in practice

Contents

Basic Concepts

• Time Synchronization
• Time Synchronization Protocols
• Computer Clocks
• Processing Time Values
• Correctness and Accuracy Expectations
• Security
• NTP in the Internet
• Parting Shots

How NTP Works

• General Infrastructure Requirements
• How NTP Represents the Time
• How NTP Reckons the Time
• How NTP Disciplines the Time
• How NTP Clients and Servers Associate
• How NTP Discovers Servers
• How NTP Manages Network Resources
• How NTP Avoids Errors
• How NTP Performance Is Determined
• How NTP Controls Access
• How NTP Watches for Terrorists
• How NTP Clocks Are Watched
• Parting Shots

In the Belly of the Beast

• Process Flow
• Packet Processing
• Clock Filter Algorithm
• Selection Algorithm
• Clustering Algorithm
• Combining Algorithm
• Huff-'n-Puff Filter
• Mitigation Rules and the Prefer Peer
• Poll Process
• Parting Shots

Clock Discipline Algorithm

• Feedback Control Systems
• Phase and Frequency Discipline
• Weight Factors
• Poll Interval Control
• Popcorn and Step Control
• Clock State Machine

NTP Subnet Configuration

• Automatic Server Discovery
• Manual Server Discovery and Configuration
• Evaluating the Sources
• Selecting the Stratum
• Selecting the Number of Configured Servers
• Engineering Campus and Corporate Networks
• Engineering Home Office and Small Business Networks
• Hardware and Network Considerations

NTP Performance in the Internet

• Performance Measurement Tools
• System Clock Latency Characteristics
• Characteristics of a Primary Server and Reference Clock
• Characteristics between Primary Servers on the Internet
• Characteristics of a Client and a Primary Server on a Fast Ethernet
• Results from an Internet Survey
• Server and Network Resource Requirements

Primary Servers and Reference Clocks

• Driver Structure and Interface
• Reference Clock Drivers

Kernel Timekeeping Support

• System Clock Reading Algorithm
• Clock Discipline Algorithms
• Kernel PLL/FLL Discipline
• Kernel PPS Discipline
• Clock Adjust Algorithm
• Proof of Performance
• Kernel PLL/FLL Discipline Performance
• Kernel PPS Discipline

Cryptographic Authentication

• NTP Security Model
• NTP Secure Groups
• Autokey Security Protocol

Indentity Schemes

• X509 Certificates
• Private Certificate (PC) Identity Scheme
• Trusted Certificate (TC) Identity Scheme
• Schnorr (IFF) Identity Scheme
• Guillou-Quisquater (GQ) Identity Scheme
• Mu-Varadharajan (MV) Identity Scheme

Analysis of Errors

• Timestamp Errors
• Sawtooth Errors
• Maximum Error Budget
• Expected Error Budget

Modeling and Analysis of Computer Clocks

• Computer Clock Concepts
• Mathematical Model of the Generic Feedback Loop
• Synthetic Timescales and Clock Wranglers

Metrology and Chronometry of the NTP Timescale

• Scientific Timescales Based on Astronomy and Atomic Physics
• Civil Timescales Based on Earth Rotation
• How NTP Reckons with UTC Leap Seconds
• On Numbering the Calendars and Days
• On the Julian Day Number System
• On Timescales, Leap Events, and the Age of Eras
• The NTP Era and Buddy Epoch
• Comparison with Other Computer Timescales
• Primary Frequency and Time Standards
• Time and Frequency Dissemination

NTP Reference Implementation

• NTP Packet Header
• Control Flow
• Main Program and Common Routines
• Peer Process
• System Process
• Clock Discipline Process
• Clock Adjust Process
• Poll Process

Technical History of NTP

• On the Antiquity of NTP
• On the Proliferation of NTP around the Globe
• Autonomous Authentication
• Autonomous Configuration
• Radios, We Have Radios
• Hunting the Nanoseconds
• Experimental Studies
• Theory and Algorithms
• Growing Pains
• As Time Goes By

Index

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