Network Time Protocol (NTP), is a standard Internet protocol used to disseminate precise time across a computer network. The application is freely available under a public license and downloadable from the Internet. By utilising the Network Time Protocol daemon and a hardware reference clock, you can easily build your own highly precise stratum-one time server.

This article describes how to configure and build your very own server by utilising low-cost GPS or radio hardware time references. It will provide a highly accurate network time reference that can be used to synchronize all your computers and other network infrastructure to the same precise time.

NTP is available as source code for compilation and configuration on a Linux or UNIX machine. The source code is freely downloadable from the NTP website. In fact most standard Linux distributions, such as Ubntu and Debian pre-install and configure the daemon for you. Other distributions may include it as an RPM.

In order to build a stratum one server, you need an accurate external timing reference. A number of timing references are available, many utilise GPS or national time and frequency radio sources such as WWVB, DCF77 and MSF. GPS is currently the system of choice, it is great as a timing reference, since it is available worldwide, is accurate and the equipment required for receiving time and positioning information is very low-cost.

Most GPS receivers have a RS232 serial port that can be easily interfaced to a PC. The receiver generally provides continuous time and positioning information in a standard format known as NMEA. An NTP server can utilise the timing information provided by a NMEA receiver as an accurate timing reference. Additionally, some receivers also provide a highly accurate pulse output that can be utilised by a NTP server as a highly precise epoch. Any timing pulse generated by a GPS receiver may need to be converted into a usable RS232 signal level. This can be achieved by feeding the pulse into a RS232 driver chip.

Many radio based reference clocks are available that utilise national time and frequency standards. WWVB is a US radio time and frequency transmission, DCF77 is transmitted from Germany, MSF is available throughout the UK. The advantage of a radio signal as a reference clock for your NTP server is that you can usually pick up a good signal indoors, close to the NTP server. In contrast, GPS requires an antenna with a good view of the sky.

Once you have your NTP server external reference clock set-up and installed, you need to configure the clock in the NTP configuration file ‘ntp.conf’. This usually involves finding and specifying the reference clock code for your timing reference. Once configured, your NTP server will act as an accurate source of time for your network time clients.

To summarise, it’s very easy to set up and configure a NTP sever by utilising low-cost components, which are readily available. Most modern operating systems can utilise NTP to synchronize. Linux and Unix machines can utilise the freely downloadable NTP daemon. Modern Microsoft operating systems such as XP and Windows Server have pre-installed SNTP clients that can point to the IP address or DNS name of a NTP server for synchronisation. Additionally, many network devices such as routers and switches can also utilise your NTP server for synchronization.

David Evans is a technical author in the field on computer network time synchronisation systems. David has written many white papers on NTP and network timing solutions. Click here to visit our web site for more information on NTP Servers.

[tags]ntp server, time server, gps time server, gps ntp server, time synchronisation, gps clock, gps time,[/tags]

The NTP protocol is a standard communications protocol for the distribution of accurate time around a computer network. NTP stands for Network Time Protocol. It is a UDP over TCP/IP based protocol and is used to synchronise time critical applications on network time clients. This article discusses how to use authentication to secure communications between a network time server and client machines.

NTP is widely used to provide precise synchronisation to time critical computer applications and processes. As such, it can pose a potential security risk for many organisations. Criminal or malicious users could potentially attempt to provide false timestamps to networked devices in order to modify the system time of the devices. This could have serious repercussions where transactions need to have a traceable time reference.

Authentication is a system designed to overcome communication interception security risks by allowing a client to prove that a response has indeed come from the intended source. The client sends a request to a server, the server responds with the required information along with one of a pre-agreed set of keys. The server encrypts the key to ensure that it cannot be easily decoded. On receipt of a response the client un-encrypts the supplied key and verifies it against its stored set of pre-agreed keys. In this manner, the client can be sure that the response was generated by the expected source. Any malicious messages can then be filtered out.

NTP overcomes communication interception security risks by utilising authentication techniques. The NTP client sends a request for time to a server. The server responds to the client with a timestamp packet along with one of a number of agreed encrypted keys. On receipt of the timestamp, the client un-encrypts the key and verifies it against a list of trusted keys. The client can then be sure that the received timestamp was indeed transmitted from the intended NTP time server.

MD5 (Message Digest Encryption 5) encryption is used to encrypt keys. MD5 is a 128-bit cryptographic hash function, which outputs a fingerprint of the key. It is a highly secure encryption, widely used on internet forums and by online communities. NTP keys are generally stored in a file called ‘ntp.keys’. Each key consists of a key number, an encryption code and the key itself.

The key number acts as a reference to the specified key. The encryption code specifies the type of encryption to be utilised, e.g. ‘M’ for MD5 encryption. The keys are agreed keywords, which are case sensitive and must be identical on both client and server. Each client often utilises a sub-set of ‘trusted keys’. These are specified in the NTP configuration file, ‘ntp.conf’. Trusted keys specify which subset of keys are currently active and can be used by the server and client. This allows a sub-set of keys to be selected from a potentially large keys file. Trusted keys are selected using the ‘trusted-keys’ configuration command.

To summarise, the NTP protocol utilises authentication techniques to overcome communication interception security risks when a client synchronises with a server. Using this method, a client can be sure that a time stamp has been generated by a trusted source, eliminating the possibility of receiving fake or maliciously generated time messages.

David Evans is a technical author in the field on computer network time synchronisation systems. David has written many white papers on NTP and network timing solutions. Click here to visit our web site for more information on NTP Time Server systems.

[tags]NTP Time Server, NTP Server, Time Server, Time Synchronisation, NTP Clock[/tags]

PC’s maintain time using internal hardware clock chips. In order to reduce costs, these components are relatively low-cost devices, notoriously prone to drift. Therefore, the system time on a collection of networked computers can drift away from each other at different rates. After a relatively short period of time, large differences between the system times of each computer will be unavoidable. Unsynchronised time on computers on a network can lead to many problems. This article discusses the importance of computer network time synchronisation and of having an accurate network time reference in an organisation.

Poor time synchronisation on a computer network can lead to a number of problems. For instance, in a transaction-processing application, transactions generated from various PC’s on the same network may have irregular time-stamps. This may lead to incorrect processing of ordered transactions. Additionally, unsynchronised computers may be vulnerable to fraud, particularly in situations where transaction time is an important issue. Problems can also arise with shared network files, if computers with unsynchronised system times are using the same resource, file updates may not be ordered correctly.

Network time servers receive precise timing information from an external time source, such as GPS or radio, and provide an accurate time reference to network time clients. In this manner, all computers and network infrastructure can be synchronised to the same precise time.

Time servers generally utilise the Network Time Protocol, or NTP, which is a standard protocol for distributing time around a network. NTP is a UDP based protocol over TCP/IP, which is a standard network protocol that most networks utilise, including the Internet. A number of external time references are available that time servers can utilise, such as GPS and regional radio frequency transmissions. The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a free to air service that provides a highly accurate source of time. However, GPS antennas require a good view of the sky in order to obtain timing information, which can increase installation costs. Regional radio time and frequency transmissions include: MSF transmitted from Anthorn in Cumbria (UK) with coverage of most of the British Isles and North-Western Europe; DCF-77 transmitted from Frankfurt (Germany) with coverage of much of Central Europe; WWVB transmitted from Colorado (US) with coverage of much of the US and Canada. Other regional radio time references include: TDF (France); CHU (Canada); JJY (Japan) and HBG (Switzerland).

There are many Internet based NTP servers available that can be utilised for network time synchronisation. However, utilising an Internet time reference can have a number of issues. Firstly, the time server is located outside of your firewall, so a port must be left open in order to access the server. This obviously has security implications. Also, accuracy, reliability and provision of service may be erratic.

A local dedicated time server overcomes all of the issues associated with Internet based references. A local server resides inside your firewall and so requires no external access, overcoming any security issues. Also, a local time server will have improved accuracy due to consistent network paths between clients and server. There should be no provision of service issues, since the time server is owned by the organisation where it is installed.

To summarise, network time synchronisation is an important factor in modern computer network installations. Internet based time servers may provide a low-cost solution to network synchronisation, but there are accuracy, security and provision of service issues that arise with their use. Dedicated network time servers overcome the security and accuracy issues associated with internet based services by providing a secure, accurate and reliable source of time inside your firewall.

Dave Evans is an experienced technical author who is involved in the development of Radio and GPS based NTP time server synchronization solutions that ensure accurate time on computer networks. Click here, for more information about Radio and GPS NTP Server solutions.

[tags]NTP Server, Time Server, Network Time Server, GPS Time, GPS Clock, Time Synchronisation, NTP Clock[/tags]

Has this ever happened to you? You had a great weekend, maybe you worked a little on an important deadline. Monday comes along; you make your way to the office to finish working on the largest contract in your company’s history, only to find your computer network down. Nothing is working. Your business and perhaps your future are dead in the water. No email, no Internet access and most importantly, that contract you have been working on for weeks is stored on your non-functional server. How vulnerable do you feel at that moment?

Luckily, when you contact your computer service provider they are not overly busy and they can see to your emergency right away. Great, you are confident that your business will be up and running very soon.

The systems technician arrives only to inform you a critical component is no longer functioning and it maybe a day or two before you will receive a spare part. You explain that information from the server is needed to meet a critical deadline. There is nothing for them to do but shrug their shoulders and wait for the replacement part to arrive. Without that critical component the server will not function.

Fortunately, you were smart enough to purchase a well known name brand server that will supply a replacement part for your network within the warranty period. Many hardware vendors offer a wide range of warranty plans; it is in your best interest to have a warranty plan that offers a minimum of four hour response, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Because you opted for a 24 hour response warranty, your trusted IT technician has your server back up and running. By Tuesday morning everything is functioning normally with minimal data loss. Even your critical proposal was spared. However, you missed the deadline and lost the opportunity to win the biggest contract in the history of your business. Coupled with this is the loss of thousands of dollars in productivity since your staff could not use the network.

In discussions with your IT services firm you discover what happened with the server causing this unexpected downtime. They inform you your server had begun to fail over the past few weeks. This situation could have been prevented with network monitoring services. However, you elected not to take advantage of this offer because you decided it was not worth the investment. I am sure you feel differently now!

Network Monitoring, also known as Remote Monitoring Services, is an essential service that all small business must have to protect their critical network data from preventable downtime. You don’t have the luxury of multiple servers or back up servers like some larger firms; however, you need to compete with them in the marketplace. Reliable technology offers a competitive advantage. A Network Monitoring service provides small business with 24/7 peace of mind that your systems are being watched and someone can look after any issues that may arise that may jeopardize your business.

What is the approximate cost to your business in this scenario? Let’s review the numbers:

25 staff at this firm, with an average salary of $25 per hour $5,000.00 was lost in one day’s downtime.

IT consulting bill 8 hours at $100.00 per hour $800.00

Estimated profits from the lost deal $100,000.00.

That is $105,800.00. The network monitoring service, for a single server small business, is approximately $2,500.00 per year. Doesn’t it make sense to have a solution that monitors your network and saves you over $100,000.00? Yes. Can you afford the loss of revenue related to a one day network failure? No, of course not. Don Engle, CEO of Welton Energy states You insure what you cannot afford to lose.

Many small business owners are short sighted in thinking a 24 hour warranty is sufficient for their needs. When it comes to critical business services the important lesson is not if you have downtime but when you have downtime. Effective planning and efficient service provide optimum benefits for your business.

Network monitoring services range in what they offer to you. Your business needs a service that will alert your IT operation centre at any hour and can guarantee a response that will protect your business’ integrity. Alerts can range from a failed backup, virus activity, or email server going down to almost all preventable network emergencies. Network monitoring can protect your servers, firewalls, printers and even your computers.

What are doing to protect your business from a preventable disaster?

Wilson Chua
Futuregen
wilson.chua@gmail.com

[tags]remote network monitoring[/tags]

In recent years the ethernet cable has become less and less used as people adopt wireless networks in their homes. That said within the commercial sphere the majority of companies still utilise ethernet cable to connect their networks, the reasons behind this are diverse. Hopefully this article will highlight the benefits to the reader.

Ethernet cable and the subsequent networks it creates are used widely. Even though it only really became popular in the last decade or so it has been in existence for over thirty five years. Most experts agree that it was the work of Robert Metcalf and David Bloggs in the early seventies. It was the work of these two gentlemen, working within the Xerox Palo Alto Research Centre that led to the development of ethernet. It was in this centre, in 1972 that Metcalf and Bloggs created a network capable of transmitting three megabits per second.

This system, although developed by Metcalf and Bloggs is believed by some to have been utilised in the Aloha net, a communication network in Hawaii. Ethernet cable carries IP information and unlike cables of the fibre optic variety is capable of layering many different protocols. One of the major benefits of ethernet is the scalability. The cable going to a specific computer can supply it with exactly the bandwidth it needs, allowing for growth in the future.

Ethernet cable is available in a number of different categories; these are usually referred to with numbers, used to describe the various data handling capabilities. The lowest category, referred to as cat 3 is able to carry around 10 Mb of data per second, typically this is the cheapest of the types of ethernet cable available. The next step up is cat 5 and cat 5e ethernet cable. The former can handle around 100Mb whilst the latter is capable of handling up to 1 GB.

At the top end of the spectrum there are cat 6 and 7 cables. These are usually used with a specific purpose in mind rather than for simple network creation. Category 6 cables are regarded to be a more stable carrier of 1GB internet than the cat 5e whilst cat 7, the most expensive variety carries the same amount of data but has extra shielding to protect it from interference. Of all the varieties it is mainly cat 5e that is used in the world of business.

Hopefully this article has highlighted some of the types of ethernet cabling available to consumers and the benefits of using it to create networks. With the right knowledge it is possible to find the perfect equipment to allow for the rapid transmission of digital information.

Technology Thomas Pretty studies how development of the ethernet cable has led to the creation of high speed networks.

[tags]ethernet cable, ethernet networks, ethernet cables, ethernet[/tags]

There has been much debate over the development of the World Wide Web and even more effort put into accurately naming its various developmental stages. As the debate rages on, it leaves many to wonder, what do the terms Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 mean? Which one are we in right now?

In 1999, the term “Web 2.0″ was coined by Darcy DiNucci, a website architect and interface designer. At the time, DiNucci used the term to postulate the future development of the internet, which was just then beginning to gather speed. A future in which DiNucci saw the internet shaking off the confines of the desktop computer, and providing unforeseen access and connectivity via mobile devices through which interaction would be possible.

Following that first use, Web 2.0 came to be further loosely defined as the second generation of services based solely on the Internet, including social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, communication tools like AIM and Skype, and other tools, services and sites that place great importance on online collaboration and the sharing of information amongst their users.

According to these terms, one might say that we are currently experiencing the crescendo of Web 2.0. Social networking capabilities, forums, sites and services have revolutionized both business and collaboration on the internet. Web 2.0 is all about information sharing, voyeurism and user generated content. But, by the very existence of a numerical classification like Web 2.0, a progression toward Web 3.0 is inevitable. Indeed, as early as 2006, experts were already prophesying the demise of Web 2.0 in the face of Web 3.0.

Web 3.0, a phrase that John Markoff from the New York Times coined back in 2006, refers to what will eventually be known as the third generation of services based solely on the Internet, including advanced formats, search natural language and algorithms, even more subtle and effortless strategies for data-mining, machine that are able to learn and adapt, and other tools and services that emphasize an automatic and machine-controlled understanding of information that will be able to provide intuitive experiences that are found to be even more productive for the user.

In the light of these two subjective definitions, it is undeniable that there are distinct differences between Web 2.0 and Web 3.0; both in goal and execution of their defining attributes. As bloggers have been noting for years, Web 3.0 is most definitely different from Web 2.0, although those differences might be too subtle for the rest of us to notice for quite some time.

Jason Oh has an interest in computers and technology. His blog Refurbished Computer Explained provides detailed information on refurbished desktop computers. The website also offers useful tips of what to look for before purchasing refurbished desktop computers.

[tags]web 2.0, web 3.0[/tags]

Business networks are continually threatened by worms, viruses, Trojans, hackers, password attacks, cyber crimes and more. This article will provide you with 5 ways to protect your business network from vulnerabilities. Whether you’re a business owner, an executive, or an IT manager, the following information will be beneficial to you.

Network vulnerability, intrusions and downtime can seriously threaten the livelihood of a business, costing thousands (if not millions) of dollars in revenue and productivity. The more you know your network, the more you can guarantee uptime and optimal performance.

Here are 5 Ways to Protect Your Business Network from Vulnerabilities:

1. Protect Your Business Network: Assessments Detect & Solve Problems. Detect problems when they happen no matter the day or the time. They provide you with informative, step-by-step advice on how to solve each security issue the system detects.

2. Protect Your Business Network: Leverage Investments in Security. By monitoring all your computers around the clock - even laptops not connected to your local network - network vulnerability assessments alert you and provide a recommended solution the minute any part of your security system stops doing its job. This helps you boost security levels by leveraging your existing investments in your business network.

3. Protect Your Business Network: Free Up Time for IT Staff. Consolidate threat-detection, security monitoring and advanced reporting to a single browser-based interface, dramatically reducing your IT administration burden and freeing up time for other tasks. This puts problem-solving security expertise in your office around the clock.

4. Protect Your Business Network: Secure Your Laptop Computers Outside the Office. Keep monitoring your company’s laptops even when they’re out of the office and not connected to your network. At home, at a customer’s office or even on vacation, they’re on top of your computer’s security - and the integrity of your network once a laptop that’s been offline logs on again - as long as the laptop is connected to the internet.

5. Protect Your Business Network: Generate Security Reports on Demand. Generate expert IT security reports on demand - satisfying your board, auditors and regulatory bodies with no need to hire expensive outside consultants.

To deal with security threats effectively, IT administrators need immediate access to just the right data and problem-solving advice. Monitor any or all of the following:

Unapproved Software: Ensures that all software applications installed on your network computers are approved by your company’s security policy.

Suspicious Traffic: Detects abnormal traffic on your network that could indicate an attempt to access or manipulate your computers.

Intrusion Vulnerability: Identifies open ports or other undesired access points that could put your computers at risk of intrusion.

Malware Protection: Protects your network with antivirus and other computer security software; ensures installation, updates and proper function on all computers.

Updates & Patches: Assures all critical security updates and patches are installed, with Microsoft’s minimum protection.

Security Practices: Ensures all your computers are configured and used in accordance with best practices for IT security.

Status Agents: Monitors your computer security status and lets you know how to solve any problems it detects.

Virtual Security Assistant: Provides 24/7 security for your entire network at a fraction of the cost of human domain experts.

Dennis Thomsen is CEO of Clear Blue Security, development and marketing company of a revolutionary Software-as-a-Service based Virtual Network Security Monitoring Assistant for small and medium sized companies. Download a free trial of our software today and protect your business network today.

[tags]protect business network, business network security[/tags]

Patch panels are used the world over in businesses as a means of managing computer and phone networks. Fundamentally patch panels hold network ports, that all connect together. Typically they are housed within dedicated server rooms, air conditioned due to the heat given off by electrical components. The connections that are made include both incoming and outgoing wires, all used to keep a local area network or LAN running.

That is not to say that patch panels are purely used in the creation of local area networks. In fact the first patch panels were almost exclusively used within the telecommunications industry. For example, many people will have seen the images and film footage of call girls transferring calls using numerous different plugs and sockets. In essence this is what a patch panel does; it is just with the automation of communications technology the necessity for a human operator has been removed.

The connections are made with patch chords. These chords are used in both LANs and WANs to connect computers to each other and the internet. The reason why panels are used is to make these connections easy to maintain and understand, arranging them in an understandable format that provides the technician with the information they need instantly. As they are in plug and socket form, it also means that connections can be changed easily, without having to bond wires together.

Ultimately patch panels are a convenient area for the network cables to terminate. This form of wiring room keeps the exposed wires down to a minimum, the result being a more secure network and system more generally. While some may argue that it would be far simpler to connect all of the cables directly into a hub, by doing this however the following advantage is negated. By directly connecting to the hub the colour coding used with patch panels is lost. Instead messy labels must be placed on every wire individually; this is not only untidy but if the labels fall of it is easy to render the entire system useless.

Hopefully this article has got across the point that patch panels are by far the most convenient way to organise and manage network connections. Without these essential pieces of equipment many businesses would not be able to operate in today’s modern corporate world. As networks and the internet become increasingly important in the day to day running of companies it is clearly understandable that items such as the patch panel have become integral to operations.

Technology and computing specialist Thomas Pretty looks at how patch panels are vital in the management of networks and the business world more generally.

[tags]patch panels, network management. managing networks[/tags]

How often do you use the internet? How many times have you sat there and sat there waiting for the website you need to pull up? Have you ever wondered if there were other options for faster internet? Have you ever sat and calculated how much time it would save you in a day if you had high speed internet access?

Just think, if you are a business owner and have twenty employees working on the internet. If they change websites 20 times a day and you could take one minute or even just 30 seconds off of each of their web site changes, because you have high speed internet access. Let’s do the calculations at 30 seconds each
website change:
20 employees x 20 website changes a day = 400
website changes
400 website changes in a day x 30 seconds per website change = 12,000 seconds
12,000 seconds in a day / 60 seconds in a minute = 200 minutes
200 minutes / 60 minutes in an hour = 3.33 hours saved in a day.

That is amazing! Just think what those 3.33 hours a day are costing your business and how much you could save in a month. Even if you had high speed internet and it only saved 10 seconds in each website change. That is still over an hour a day of time saved for your employees and then you times that out by a month and that is 20 - 30 more hours of productivity you could have.

With the economy the way it is every business is striving to find ways to save time and help their employees be more productive. Many of the employees are feeling overwhelmed due to the amount of work they need to get done in a day. Having high speed internet access for your business can become a win-win for you and your employees.

Both feel happier due to having their internet moving faster and so they can get their work done quicker and you feel good as a business owner, because you are seeing things done in a timely manner.

Now that you have decided it is important to spend the money and have high speed internet access for your office it is important to know that you’re data is being delivered securely and is reliable and the fastest route possible.

It is also good to work with companies that have expertise in meeting the needs of businesses. Go ahead, check into it and make the most out of your business dollar by seeing an increase in your productivity by having high speed internet access for you office.

XO Communications (http://www.xo.com) is a leading provider in Voice over Internet Protocol, Data & Internet, Network Transport, Managed Services, Hosting Services and Fixed Wireless Access to businesses nationwide. Art Gib is a freelance writer.

[tags]High Speed Internet Access[/tags]

Many people encounter various types of problems with their home wireless networks, but most of the problems come from a poor signal. This often happens when you have a rather weak router or a very big house.

1. Position the router as close as possible to the center of the house, this way the signal will be uniform. If the router is near a wall, half the signal will get lost on the outside and you wont be enjoying that coverage unless you plan to go and connect from the yard.

2. Dont place the router on the floor, near a wall or near metal objects because they will affect the signal and the connection will end up being very weak.

3. Replace the routers antenna. From the factory, all routers come with an omni directional antenna, which means the signal is propagated in all directions, at the same values. If you place the router near a wall, half the signal will be lost on the other side. With a bigger antenna which can transmit the signal in only one direction you wont encounter this wall problem anymore.

4. Replace the computers wireless card. In some cases, the router can transmit a strong signal but the computer can not receive it and retransmit an equally strong one. Replacing the wireless adapter can significantly improve the signals quality. For laptops, which have an integrated wireless card, you wont need to replace it because it is strong enough if the laptop is only a few years old at most.

5. When distances are too big, add an access point. If you feel that the power of the router can not lead the signal where it should, it is recommended to add an access point to the network. It will take the routers transmitted signal and will retransmit it, enhancing the wireless range.

6. Keep the router up to date. A firmware upgrade can do wonders, because many time producers resolve certain wireless bugs through firmware upgrades. It is free and very fast to do a firmware upgrade.

7. Try to make devices compatible. If your router is a Linksys, buy a Linksys access point, or a wireless adapter. Its best to have a matching and compatible network. By adding different products from different companies, you risk that they wont match 100%.

8. Upgrade from 802.11b to 802.11g, because the last one is 5 times faster than the older 802.11b standard wireless protocol.

With and these ideas you should be able to improve your overall has. It’s really all about trial and error if you are having issues with the signal getting from your router to wireless card on your PC. Hopefully this article has been able to provide you and give you some tips to make sure that you can resolve the problem you’re having.

Mark Dunne is a writer providing advice on how dose a wireless router work if you have time drop by his site for some tips and information.

[tags]Wireless signal tips, improve wireless signal[/tags]