On Fri, 21 Sep 2007, John Pettitt wrote: > >> I just wrote an article, it might give you ideas : >> >> "How to find the best stratum 1 NTP servers near you to query for time for >> your stratum 2 NTP server" >> >> You can view it here: >> >> http://blogtech.oc9.com/index.php?view=article&id=13%3Ahow-to-find-the-best-ntp-servers-near-you-to-query-for-time-for-ntpd-server&Itemid=1&option=com_content >> >> Comments are welcome ! >> >> >>> >> >> Louis >> http://blogtech.oc9.com >> _______________________________________________ >> > Louis > > Your article is a really bad way to find servers - specifically you are > encouraging people to use servers without permission. This is a bad idea > for two reasons > > 1) it's rude and may upset server admins to the point of making the servers > private > > 2) you have no idea if the server is going to be there next week. > > There are lists of server maintained by the ntp project and you can ask on > email lists like this one and you will find servers you can use without > upsetting anybody. > > John >
Yep, you are right,I admit it, I discover hidden servers on my ISP network and use them without their permission. I pay them enough money so I couldn't care less. Common, can you imagine a provider complaining because one of its customer uses its ntp servers ? I should put more emphasis on "finding your own ISP ntp servers" and using only PUBLIC ones beside that. ( done since I will add this follow-up to the article ) In my production config, I also use 2 PUBLIC ntp servers ( no iburst, maxpoll=12) beside my provider ones as backup just in case... 95% of the time I sync on my provider servers. ISPs could allow ONLY their customers to connect to their time servers and everybody would be happy. I mean there should be a law that forces ISP to provide ntp services to their customers ;-)) It is silly to make others like pool members pay for it. The down side for pool members is that If everybody was using their provider ntp servers, there would be no need for the pool. In the process of finding your provider stratum 1 servers, you will most likely find a bunch of stratum 2 and 3 servers that synchronize ultimately on your ISP stratum 1 servers. So no chances they will be gone next week. It would be too complicated for the ISP to reconfigure all other ntp servers that depend on it. Stratum 2 and 3 are just as good so if done right, ISPs could publish stratum 2 and 3 IPs and block access to their stratum 1 servers. In fact, I think that querying a global pool server or any far away ntp server is a pure waste of energy ( more Joules are burned). I have expressed my views on the timekeeper list before (http://fortytwo.ch/mailman/pipermail/timekeepers/). Basically, providers should handle ALL ntp traffic internally like it is the case for DNS root servers (you are not talking to who you think you are talking to) and other protocols. Again, if this was done right, there would be no need for the pool anymore so I know for sure some will be against my ideas on the timekeeper list;-)) NTP is a mess and nobody seems to care. Like a timekeeper list poster mentioned this week; It makes him feel "important" to serve time to a bunch of people and there is no other valid reason to be a member of the pool beside the fun of experimenting, watching the traffic and maintaining stats. It is a pity that ISPs rely on guys like pool members to provide this service to their customers when it is their responsibility. If done right, the cost would be ridiculous for ISPs so it wouldn't affect the price they charge for their services. I have been fooling around with ntp and the pool long enough to stand on my position but don't worry; I think the pool does just fine in the meantime ;-)) Keep on serving time guys ! Louis http://blogtech.oc9.com _______________________________________________ timekeepers mailing list [email protected] https://fortytwo.ch/mailman/cgi-bin/listinfo/timekeepers
