Time Calibration Service (Network Time Protocol)
Network Time Protocol (NTP) is a networking protocol for clock synchronisation between computer systems.
The University of Suffolk maintains a cluster of 3 independent 'Stratum 1' NTP Servers, for use by both the University and the General Public. These servers are accessible on both internal university networks (including WiFi services such as 'eduroam' and 'SuffolkUni'), and over the Internet.
The NTP Servers operated by University of Suffolk calibrate their time signal using the constellation of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (individually; GLONASS, GPS and GALILEO). These satellites each utilise a highly accurate calibrated atomic clock, typically accurate to <100ns.
These servers in normal operation keep a time accurate to < 1µS (less than 1 microsecond)
The servers support the following Network Protocols:
- NTP Version 2, 3 and 4
- SNTP version 3 and 4
The Service is available to:
- Staff
- Students
- The General Public
Service is available 24x7
Service availability and uptime statistics are available on the links below
Server | Tool |
ntp0.uos.ac.uk | Uptime/Service Status Pool.ntp.org monitor |
ntp1.uos.ac.uk | Uptime/Service Status Pool.ntp.org monitor |
IT Services aims to maintain 99.9% availability of at least 1 NTP Server, outside of planned maintenance windows.
Users may access the service via any of the following routes:
1) By configuring their devices directly, to query time updates via NTP from the following address:
If your device supports configuring a single NTP Server:
- time.uos.ac.uk
If your device supports multiple NTP Server entries:
- 194.80.204.184 / ntp0.uos.ac.uk
- 195.195.221.100 / ntp1.uos.ac.uk
2) By configuring their devices to obtain NTP updates from the UK NTP Pool (which the university NTP Servers participate in) more information available here: http://www.pool.ntp.org/en/use.html
For general service enquiries please contact the service administrators at time.bandits@uos.ac.uk
For support or troubleshooting, please contact the Service Desk at itservicedesk@uos.ac.uk
This Service is provided free of charge
Team: IT Enterprise Team
Keywords: NTP, SNTP, Time, Network Time, Synchronisation, atomic clock, GPS, MSF
Page last modified: 15 October 2018