Network Time Synchronisation

  • Thread starter Thread starter George Ilko
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George Ilko

Hi All,

I have a client who creates special effects for film
companies. They run digital image manipulation software
to create images and effects on Windows 2000 workstations
then render huge files on Windows 2000 Server. All the
servers are in a workgroup as opposed to a domain. They
currently have a problem, time synchronisation is
critical as all frames that make up a moving image have
to be viewed in an exact order. However, the clocks on
all workstaions and servers are not synchronised. How can
I synchronise all nodes in the workgroup to EXACTLY the
same time. Are there any third party applications to do
this or can I use Windows?

Kind Regards,

George Ilko.
 
The NET TIME command should fix you right up. You should synchronize the
Windows 2000 Server to an external time server so you have one consistent
correct time source, then have each workstation poll the server for the
correct time.

On the server:

NET TIME /SETSNTP:[external server name or IP address]

will set its time externally, then put a batch file on each PC's Startup
program group so it runs when they log in:

NET TIME \\[Windows 2000 server name or IP address] /SET /Y

will then synch each PC to the main server.

Type NET TIME /? from a command prompt for help with the command.
 
Hi George

I am not sure you can do this on a workgroup as the time service is enabled in the DNS snap-in. As users are just roaming freely around the network and using Windows 2000 Server as a File Server, its not really controlled and thus making time synchro hard

The server will need to synchronize with the atomic clock server on the internet. If the server does not have internet then this link might interest you

http://www.ntp-time-server.com/windows-ntp-time-server/windows-2000-time-server-synchronization.ht

The company produces a large amount of varied ways to connect to atomic clocks via connected equipment

O

If the server does have internet access then the servers time will be updated via microsofts atomic clock server, but you need to host a time server service on the server itself via the DNS Snap-In

Is the network totally against starting a domain? You dont need a public domain, just for instance a domain called "company.local

Hope thats been some help in one way shape or form

Regard

Chris Whit
Stirling Technical Engineering Ltd - I.T. Departmen
 
Many thanks Richard.
-----Original Message-----
The NET TIME command should fix you right up. You should synchronize the
Windows 2000 Server to an external time server so you have one consistent
correct time source, then have each workstation poll the server for the
correct time.

On the server:

NET TIME /SETSNTP:[external server name or IP address]

will set its time externally, then put a batch file on each PC's Startup
program group so it runs when they log in:

NET TIME \\[Windows 2000 server name or IP address] /SET /Y

will then synch each PC to the main server.

Type NET TIME /? from a command prompt for help with the command.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x] (e-mail address removed)
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


Hi All,

I have a client who creates special effects for film
companies. They run digital image manipulation software
to create images and effects on Windows 2000 workstations
then render huge files on Windows 2000 Server. All the
servers are in a workgroup as opposed to a domain. They
currently have a problem, time synchronisation is
critical as all frames that make up a moving image have
to be viewed in an exact order. However, the clocks on
all workstaions and servers are not synchronised. How can
I synchronise all nodes in the workgroup to EXACTLY the
same time. Are there any third party applications to do
this or can I use Windows?

Kind Regards,

George Ilko.
Click to expand...


.
Click to expand...
 
Richard

Thanks mate, learnt something myself there. Totally forgot about running batch files for that type of scenario. Only use batch's for printer captures at the moment in Win 2000 clients

I really shouldn't forget the flexibility of the good old batch file ha ha

Sorry for the wrong info there George

Regard

Chris.
 
Glad to be able to help.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x] (e-mail address removed)
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


Many thanks Richard.
-----Original Message-----
The NET TIME command should fix you right up. You should synchronize the
Windows 2000 Server to an external time server so you have one consistent
correct time source, then have each workstation poll the server for the
correct time.

On the server:

NET TIME /SETSNTP:[external server name or IP address]

will set its time externally, then put a batch file on each PC's Startup
program group so it runs when they log in:

NET TIME \\[Windows 2000 server name or IP address] /SET /Y

will then synch each PC to the main server.

Type NET TIME /? from a command prompt for help with the command.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x] (e-mail address removed)
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


Hi All,

I have a client who creates special effects for film
companies. They run digital image manipulation software
to create images and effects on Windows 2000 workstations
then render huge files on Windows 2000 Server. All the
servers are in a workgroup as opposed to a domain. They
currently have a problem, time synchronisation is
critical as all frames that make up a moving image have
to be viewed in an exact order. However, the clocks on
all workstaions and servers are not synchronised. How can
I synchronise all nodes in the workgroup to EXACTLY the
same time. Are there any third party applications to do
this or can I use Windows?

Kind Regards,

George Ilko.
Click to expand...


.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
No problem.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x] (e-mail address removed)
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


Chris White - Stirling said:
Richard,

Thanks mate, learnt something myself there. Totally forgot about running
Click to expand...
batch files for that type of scenario. Only use batch's for printer captures
at the moment in Win 2000 clients.
 
Do not forget to adjust the user rights to change the system time, if you
use 'net time ... /set /y(es)'. By default only Power Users and
Administrators have that right.
Alternatively, you can configure 'net time /setsntp:...' on all computers
and change Windows Time service startup to Auto.
 
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