[H-GEN] The unpredictability of large networks

[Greg Black]

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We've had some discussions about NTP here recently, so this
might be of interest to at least some people.

All the networks I manage have their own Stratum 2 NTP Server[1]
and each of those servers has a choice of Stratum 1 servers in
Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.  Normally, the actual
Stratum 1 servers in use change around a bit, as network effects
are felt and the local servers try to hook up with the "best"
source.  I was amused today to find that all my Brisbane systems
are using the Adelaide Stratum 1 server while all my Melbourne
systems are using Brisbane.  On the face of it, this is absurd;
but that's what happens with NTP.

Cheers, Greg

[1] If the NTP jargon has got you puzzled, try "man ntpd" if you
    have NTP installed on your system (which you should); it
    will tell you quite a lot and give pointers to other info.
    If you don't have that man page, hit this link with your web
    browser: http://www.ntp.org/

-- 
Greg Black <gjb at gbch.net> <http://www.gbch.net/gjb.html>
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