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How to get all of our computers/servers etc on the same time

We have a network with several Exchange servers, file-servers & PCs (all windows XP or Win2k3 or Exchange 2003). We are having some serious issues with times not being in sync.

I know that this is a simple question, but is there any way that I can build a virtual box with XP or 2003 standard that will sync it's clock with the Boulder time clock & then push (or pull) all that time to our desktops/servers so that they are all in sync with the correct time?

Please advise

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dlangr

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that1guy15

Dlangr is right. but if all the computers are in a domain they will automatically point ntp to the DC. Here is another good step by step for this

http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/Configuring-Windows-Time-Service.html

Galtar99

http://support.ntp.org/bin/view/Main/ExternalTimeRelatedLinks

http://www.ntp.org/

dlangr

True, domain pc's will point to the dc unless configured otherwise. I encounter many networks where this is done by either users or (previous) admins, so i like to make sure by setting it trough a policy as good time synchronisation is very important.

I would not use a virtual pc to sync time with, as i experienced time drifts with those before.

rustyrpage

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What's a good server to use?

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dlangr

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Galtar99

You can use pool.ntp.org. It is a virtual pool of several ntp servers.

http://www.pool.ntp.org/use.html

Galtar99

If you want to use just servers in North America, United States, us this pool: us.pool.ntp.org

http://www.pool.ntp.org/zone/us

rustyrpage

ASKER

I put it to the Boulder time clock. So far so good.

The question I have now is how to push it out manually the first time & then, how can I ensure that all of my clients are getting it (since we're in a domain I know it's supposed to be native, but is there a way to double-check)

Thanks!

Galtar99

You can spot check clients, look in the event log for ntp events.

Galtar99

Open Event Viewer and filter for W32Time events, you should see events like below:

Event Type:      Information
Event Source:      W32Time
Event Category:      None
Event ID:      35
Date:            10/9/2007
Time:            7:52:43 AM
User:            N/A
Computer:      IRVMXC4813
Description:
The time service is now synchronizing the system time with the time source irvdc03.us.tgr.net (ntp.d|172.25.18.95:123->172.25.2.97:123).

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.