ipKonfig Network Time System review
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Subject: Network Time System
Date: 04 January 2003
Review Author: Scott Mikules
Original Review: www.ipKonfig.com
Introduction
Time is of the essence, right?
Or is time a figment of our imagination?
Or is it just Nature's way of keeping everything from happening all at once?
Regardless, time keeps us on track, keeps us from getting in trouble, and tells us where we are at what point in time.
With that, it's time for a time review-but enough of the confusion.
Being a Systems Administrator requires a lot of time, effort, and headaches beyond any that medication can cure.
But with this comes time, actual time itself within a network of many computers.
Computers have brought a great deal to the corporations and industry-including crime.
But you, as Administrator, have a job to do, and you don't have much time on your hands.
So, is there an easier way to keeping all of the computers on your network synched?
Sure there is, and all that's needed is a little up front investment of time to set up this application on server and client machines.
System RequirementsAll 32-bit Windows Operating Systems are supported.
(Windows NT4/2000/XP) and as usual Win32 application
under 9x systems (Windows 95,98,ME.)
time sources thru corporate firewall or proxy
server (http, socks4/4a/5 proxies).
(including TCP/IP, IPX, and NetBEUI.)
Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP.
Timecard fraud is one of the largest internal crime problems that companies face, companies that rely on computers, that is. But having the correct time is important, too. I've been behind the desk, listening to those who 'have' time on their hands, complain about the time on their computer being out of synch. And yes, I've gotten those calls about people complaining about their computer time being two minutes off. But hey, you're supposed to fix the problems of those who make twice as much as you, but can't run a computer as part of their jobs.
Time is very important, so why not support your users with the ability to synch time without worries?
That's where Softros Systems, Inc., based in NY, comes in.
They have developed 'hands-free' clock synch software for administrators.
Its ease of installation and auto features give you back your time, and it has the power to syndicate out to your network users with a client version.
The client version stays in touch with the Network Time Sync Server, and, for the most part, takes commands from the server. The administrator is able to send out time synchs to all client machines with a push of the button. But time synching goes beyond the users' convenience; it also keeps backups in order.
Time stamps are very important for backup systems, and having incorrect time date stamps can bring frustration to the backup administrator's job.
Most large-scale backup servers perform incremental backups, which work off of the date the file/folder was last opened, or modified.
If that file/folder has been modified since the last update, then the server will back up that file/folder.
If the server has incorrect time stamps, the backup server will encounter unsynchronized backups and not fully perform its tasks.
Backup servers are not the only reason network time synching is important; banks, financial facilities, eCommerce, trading and billing systems, and database servers, are among the many requiring critical time stamping.
As mentioned, Network Time Server is a fairly easy application to install and maintain. It requires little skill, and time to install. Although, pushing the client version out to the all of the users' machines on the network will need to be performed once. Most intranets use what is called SMS (Systems Management Server) to do such large scale network installs. There are other methods for performing such a tasks, but this system also allows smaller sized intranets to install the application from PC-to-PC by sneakernet. Once the client machines are ready, Network Time Server can then keep them and servers in synch.
How is this done?
It's actually quite simple.
Network Time Server links to three major Time Sources, which area also ready for use after installation is completed on the server.
However, you can use another Time Source if preferred; the suggested ones are provided as providing some of the best results for time synch.
Another nice feature is being able to have the application choose the fastest available server.
You also have a choice of how often the Network Time Server will run. Also, it can run from behind a firewall. If your proxy/firewall requires authentication, you can enter the username and password through the authentication button.
Network Time Server also has the ability to update particular subnets supplied by the administrator. This can be quite handy for groups you wish to upgrade, versus those you don't. Network Time Server works across TCP/IP, UDP, or SMB networks. If using UDP protocol, you can force client machines to synchronize accordingly.
Also note that the applications will see the clients' machines matching the subnet mask entered into the program. So, between the client software installed across the network and the subnet mask, Network Time Server then seeks out and listens to whose-who and makes adjustments accordingly.
You also have the ability to track synchronization throughout your network. When the log settings are enabled, you can track server and client events. The log file, or files, can be set up to use one large log file, or set to create a new file each day.
Security is another great feature of this software.
Because of the importance of having correct time throughout your network, it's a good idea to lock down client machines, keeping them from being changed by the user.
By providing a range of IP addresses, you have the ability to restrict certain groups of users from manually setting clocks. Or you may choose to allow a certain group of individuals to manual synch their time with the time server. And, finally, you can turn off all restrictions.
Most large scale intranets and WANs block users from changing or synching time on their workstations. Because of contracts, timecards, and other important issues, system administrators will find this section quite useful.
Network Time Server also has a handy Server Statistics screen. This screen shows requests, or pushes, that have been applied throughout the network, either through TCP/IP, UDP, UDP Broadcast, and SMB Time.
When the application is not in use, minimized, it sits in the tool bar at the bottom right for quick & easy access. Clicking on the "Sync" function either synchs just the server or sends out a broadcast synch to the network. And, of course, this is where you would close out the application if not needed.
The Network Time Server software itself does come at a steep price like most multiple license software, but starts off with ten client licenses and one server license.
The starting price, at time of review, is $265.00 USD. And, of course, the more you buy the better the price.
Softros.com also makes a commitment to respond to its customer's questions and support needs. They offer three types of support: Priority Technical Support, Basic Technical Support, and Free Technical Support. Surprisingly, Priority Technical Support runs only $95 a year per business-even during holidays! If they fail to respond to your priority support emails, they will refund 100% of your Priority Technical Support fees. Also, as mentioned on their site, $95 a year for Priority Technical Support is the same whether you have thousands of servers/client machines, or ten.
As for the Basic and Free technical support, Basic support questions/problems will be answered within 48 hours. Free technical support is with no time commitments, but they do answer every question.
Conclusion
I did hint about the idea that this software is expensive.
For you and I, yes.
We're not in the market for such a setup for home computers.
As I have pointed out, this software is for small to large scale enterprise networks where time is of the utmost import.
I have 
also mentioned some of the scenarios where this software is most critical.
Let's face it, the larger the network becomes, the more critical the data becomes.
Network Time Server, and the client version, have very minimal impact on both the server and client machines resources-another great feature.
I've personally had my share of watching companies run WAN and LAN networks without caution or care. Data backups and databases are some of the most important functions to keep time synched. If I were to run a large scale network, this would be my software of choice. It's easy to maintain, user friendly, has built-in admin features, and just plain works! It requires practically no skills-or even training, for that matter-which makes it top-choice software in our books for anyone with a small to large scale network.
So I guess it all comes down to: time is of the essence, as some might say…
Scott Mikules (ipKonfig)
