UTC Time

Keeping enterprise networks on UTC time is critical

Accurate network timekeeping is an important part of maintaining enterprise network integrity. Every server, desktop and appliance on a computer network has its own clock. Business functions such as electronic sales transactions, server log files, digital signatures, electronic communications and more are dependent on keeping all the devices on a network synchronized to UTC time (Coordinated Universal Time). UTC time is the international standard for timekeeping, is the underlying time base for all computer operating systems, and is used in international broadcasting and aviation as well as the Internet and World Wide Web. UTC time is also used by the Network Time Protocol (NTP) to synchronize clocks on computers over the Internet. For the most accurate synchronization with UTC time, enterprises everywhere rely on time servers from Symmetricom.

Symmetricom delivers solutions for UTC time synchronization

Symmetricom is the world's leading provider of network timekeeping and synchronization solutions. Symmetricom delivers a Next Generation-ready NTP network time servers that allow enterprises to maintain extremely accurate network timekeeping. These servers are a Stratum 1 level device that uses a GPS receiver to derive time from the atomic clocks aboard GPS satellites. The 12-channel receiver allows the time server to track every visible satellite. If a GPS signal is not available, the time server can revert to Stratum 2 mode and retrieve time from other user-designated servers. The time servers can also be upgraded with a Rubidium atomic oscillator that can deliver accurate timekeeping to within 6 microseconds of UTC time per day. A high-speed processor and a nanosecond clock assure high bandwidth NTP performance, synchronizing hundreds of thousands of network clients to UTC. And because the time server is designed to be extremely easy to use, administrators can bring it online with a few simple keystrokes or DHCP, configure it through an intuitive interface, and have full control and remote access through a standard browser interface.

Inaccurate time synchronization with UTC poses threats

If IT networks are not accurately synchronized with UTC time, the consequences can be hazardous for the enterprise. Processes that rely on strict chronological execution of events among disparate computers may break down. Important data can be lost when an old file is mistakenly written over a new file during backups. The legal validity of documents and transactions may be challenged. Security can be compromised when log files are not accurate enough for administrators to use in identifying threats. And the credibility of the organization may ultimately suffer in the eyes of customers.

Fortunately these troubles can be easily avoided with a cost-efficient timekeeping solution from Symmetricom.

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