Net Time uses the old NetRemoteTOD API, for computers not running the
time service, when they issue a NET TIME command without any parameters
the clients issue a NetServerEnum to enumerate the servers from the
browse list (yuk) with the TS (timesource )flag. Archaic and inaccurate
as compared to W23time.

In your situation, off the top of my head, I would be inclined to run
NTP on the XP box with W32time disabled, point the PDCe of the forest to
it and let W32time run in it's NT5DS mode on all the other machines so
you have the proper hierarchical flow of time down the forest without
making any changes anywhere else and it just appears as an external
source to the PDCe. It might be possible to do it with W32time running
on the XP box but I have no direct experience with doing it that way and
you could conceivably introduce a time loop.

-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Abbiss, Mark
Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2005 7:33 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [ActiveDir] Using "net time"

Following on from my earlier question about time synchronisation, can
anyone please tell me, when you type in the command "net time", just
where exactly how does the client determine where to pull this
information from ? I ask because I assumed it would be querying its
logon server by default, however in my case it is querying a DC from a
sub-domain ?!?! Why on Earth is that ? The DC in question is not
configured as a reliable time source (The "AnnounceFlags" value is 10
and not 4)

I am confused and bewildered.

Thanks again for any help.

-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Abbiss, Mark
Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2005 4:15 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [ActiveDir] Time synchronisation in a W2K domain


I was recently handed a new hardware clock to install into our domain.
As the device needs to be placed in an area with good radio reception I
decided to install it onto a PC. Our server farm is located in a secure
bunker with no reception at all.

I know the usual time sync model is for DC's to get the time from the
PDC role holder and then the time filters down from there to members
servers and workstations. However, my PC is running Windows XP. 

So the question is, is it possible to set the XP workstation (with
hardware connected) as the reliable primary source for time in the
domain ? Should the Windows Time service be disabled on the PC ? What
changes need to be nmade to the PDC Role holder and other DC's in the
domain to make sure they are forced to sync with the XP workstation. Or
is it just not possible to use an XP workstation ?

I have noticed that some of my machines are synching with the PC but
others are not and I have not as yet determine why there is this erratic
behviour. If I use the "w32tm /resync" command then on some machines it
works and on others it doesn't.

Do I need to manually configure all DC's t point to the XP machine ? Do
members servers need special configuration ? Why are general user
workstations not showing the same time as the Time PC ?

Any advice greatly appreciated.
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