Six GPS-based, fast, high-accuracy [10-nanosecond] Stratum-1 NTP Internet time servers that you can use for any timing needs, such as keeping your computer's clock synchronized to UTC, are available free for public use. All six are equally accurate and are accessible via the two domain names given in the table below.
| Server Information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domain Name | Time Source | Oscillator | NTP | Line | Notes |
| t1.timegps.net | GPS | Rubidium | V2 V3 V4 | Cable |
A C |
| t2.timegps.net | GPS | Rubidium | V2 V3 V4 | Cable |
A C |
| Which Domain Name should you use? Either one. The times returned on both lines have identical accuracy. | |||||
| Current Server Status:MINormal Operation | |||||
For your computer, decide on a particular server line and then:
For the PC (Windows 7):
1. Navigate to the menu item Start / Control Panel / Date and Time.
2. Click the Internet Time tab at the top of the window.
3. Click Change Settings...
4. Check the box next to Synchronize with an Internet time server.
5. Type in the desired Domain Name from the table above as the server name.
6. Click Update Now.
7. When you get the 'successfully' message, click OK in the two open windows.
For the Macintosh (OS X):
1. Open System Preferences. . . in the Apple menu.
2. In the 'System' bar, click Date & Time.
3. In the window that opens, click the Date & Time tab.
4. Check the box next to Set date & time automatically.
5. Enter the Domain Name from the table above as the server name.
6. Press the Return key.
7. Close the window.
IMPORTANT:
Be sure that the IP address of your client host computer is valid. The Internet has seven ranges of IP addresses that are not recognized by Internet routers or are not available for assignment:
| Invalid IP Addresses | ||
|---|---|---|
| Address Range Start | Address Range End | Address Type |
| 0.0.0.0 | 0.255.255.255 | No Network Number |
| 10.0.0.0 | 10.255.255.255 | Local - Class A |
| 127.0.0.0 | 127.255.255.255 | Reserved for Testing |
| 169.254.0.0 | 169.254.255.255 | Local - DHCP Default |
| 172.16.0.0 | 172.31.255.255 | Local - Class B |
| 192.168.0.0 | 192.168.255.255 | Local - Class C |
| 240.0.0.0 | 255.255.255.255 | Internet IP Development |
Do not use an address in any of the above ranges to identify your computer to the outside world. A received IP address belonging to one of these ranges will be discarded by the servers. [If you connect to the Internet through a gateway in an organization's network, that is usually OK; in most cases local addresses will be temporarily converted to a valid number before being transmitted.]
Please note: The time derived from GPS by the servers is within a few nanoseconds of UTC; however, because of unpredictable transmission delays within the Internet, the time received from the servers will be accurate typically to a few milliseconds of UTC.
For questions or comments, e-mail x@sn.to
This page was last updated on June 20, 2012. You are visitor number
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