Re: [time-nuts] Cloudflare
tic-...@bodosom.net said: > Your questions are answered in their blog post. > 1) No smear. Thanks. I found it via google. It's 3 clicks away from the blog post. In case anybody wants to get there. Start here: https://blog.cloudflare.com/secure-time/amp/ Scroll down to "Use it", the next to last paragraph. Follow "developer docs" to: https://developers.cloudflare.com/time-services/ Click "Get started" to: https://developers.cloudflare.com/time-services/ntp/ Click "Cloudflare's Time Service" in the left column to: https://developers.cloudflare.com/time-services/ntp/usage/ The second paragraph starts with: We do not implement leap smearing: > 2) Anycast. What does anycast mean when DNS returns 2 IPv4 addresses? Is the client expected to do anything other than use the first address returned? -- These are my opinions. I hate spam. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Cloudflare
>A cable run from your rack in the middle of the datacenter, through to the >roof, is either impossible or thousands of dollars and weeks of planning. I've done this 4 times now for GPS antennas connected to NTP servers. I agree with the thousands of dollars (2K to 4K for cable runs of around 50 m) but there wasn't really much planning to do. We simply engaged a contractor and they did all the rest. Cheers Michael On Sat, Jun 22, 2019 at 1:00 PM Sanjeev Gupta wrote: > > Bob, > > The hardware is cheap. The software is free. The skills to deploy are > widely available. But... > > A cable run from your rack in the middle of the datacenter, through to the > roof, is either impossible or thousands of dollars and weeks of planning. > > Data centers can run wires within the building for exorbitant costs, asking > them to run one to the exterior is, well, impossible. > > -- > Sanjeev Gupta > +65 98551208 http://www.linkedin.com/in/ghane > > > On Sat, Jun 22, 2019 at 6:06 AM Bob kb8tq wrote: > > > Hi > > > > Given the relatively low cost of a GPS based “Stratum 1” NTP, it’s not > > real clear > > why (at the end of the paper) they go off and “exchange emails > > individually with the > > organizations that run stratum 1 servers, as well as negotiate permission > > to use them.” > > to source the root time for the system. I would have thought that some > > sort of combo > > of on site and off site sources would be at the “top of the tree”. > > > > Bob > > > > > On Jun 21, 2019, at 2:20 PM, Marco Davids via time-nuts < > > time-nuts@lists.febo.com> wrote: > > > > > > Opinions, anyone? > > > > > > https://blog.cloudflare.com/secure-time/amp/ > > > > > > ("Introducing time.cloudflare.com") > > > > > > -- > > > Marco > > > > > > ___ > > > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > > > To unsubscribe, go to > > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > > > and follow the instructions there. > > > > ___ > > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > > To unsubscribe, go to > > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > > and follow the instructions there. > > > ___ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Cloudflare
Hi Yup, I’ve run into that with GPS based gear in the past. We’re in the sub-sub-sub basement and the roof is 123 stories straight up …. One traditional answer is the “run to the window” approach. You don’t get GPS all the time, but you get it often enough to be useful. If you are indeed four stories underground, there still is a bit of cabling involved. Time off of cellular signals has also been tried (and failed). These days getting time via multiple GNSS systems is already dirt cheap. I think if I was going to do a high end setup, I would run one of the multi GNSS devices and work out a way to get time from all the systems. It does not eliminate a threat, but it makes it much harder for the attacker. Bob > On Jun 21, 2019, at 10:01 PM, Sanjeev Gupta wrote: > > Bob, > > The hardware is cheap. The software is free. The skills to deploy are > widely available. But... > > A cable run from your rack in the middle of the datacenter, through to the > roof, is either impossible or thousands of dollars and weeks of planning. > > Data centers can run wires within the building for exorbitant costs, asking > them to run one to the exterior is, well, impossible. > > -- > Sanjeev Gupta > +65 98551208 http://www.linkedin.com/in/ghane > > > On Sat, Jun 22, 2019 at 6:06 AM Bob kb8tq wrote: > >> Hi >> >> Given the relatively low cost of a GPS based “Stratum 1” NTP, it’s not >> real clear >> why (at the end of the paper) they go off and “exchange emails >> individually with the >> organizations that run stratum 1 servers, as well as negotiate permission >> to use them.” >> to source the root time for the system. I would have thought that some >> sort of combo >> of on site and off site sources would be at the “top of the tree”. >> >> Bob >> >>> On Jun 21, 2019, at 2:20 PM, Marco Davids via time-nuts < >> time-nuts@lists.febo.com> wrote: >>> >>> Opinions, anyone? >>> >>> https://blog.cloudflare.com/secure-time/amp/ >>> >>> ("Introducing time.cloudflare.com") >>> >>> -- >>> Marco >>> >>> ___ >>> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com >>> To unsubscribe, go to >> http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com >>> and follow the instructions there. >> >> ___ >> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com >> To unsubscribe, go to >> http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com >> and follow the instructions there. >> > ___ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] GPSDO 10MHZ Splitter
I have a bunch of NOS Mini-Circuits ZSC-2-1-75 splitters available if they can be of any use. They are spec'd from 0.25-300 MHz and, if you change the internal chip resistor to 100 Ohms (about a 5 minute task), it measures very nicely at 50 Ohms. I will ship 2 of them for $32 and can throw in the required chip resistor for your soldering enjoyment...;-) 73, geo - n4ua On Fri, Jun 21, 2019 at 12:07 PM Don Meadows wrote: > Is there an easy, and cheap way to add a splitter the 10Mhz signal > from GPSDO, without going to a distribution amplifier to > feed two different devices? > > I really don’t want to build a complicated project, or > spend $200.00 dollars for an 8 output distribution amp > off the net. One output would be dedicated for my > counter time base, and the other would be an ‘extra’ > 10MHZ source for another counter, or just to display on the scope. > > I don’t have a GPSDO yet, I just can’t decide on one. > I am leaning to the Trimble, but it’s still undecided. > > Could anyone comment on buying a “Refurbished by Seller” > GPSDO on E-bay. They are a few dollars cheaper, but I really > want one I can have trust and confidence in. > > Sorry for the long post. > Thanks, Don > > > > Sent from Mail for Windows 10 > > ___ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there. > ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Cloudflare
Hi Sorry for the double post Actually there *is* another answer: Run an atomic clock. That sounds exotic and really expensive. In fact they are a sub $1,000 sort of item in bulk (like hundreds). A Rubidium based device will hold “rate” to under a nanosecond per second pretty much forever and ever. With a bit of minor work, that will come down by a factor of 10 or more. It’s not “time of day” but it is a clock you can depend on. If somebody does get in and start yanking time by seconds, it’s going to tell you what’s happening. Yes indeed it’s a belt for your suspenders and your other belt. That seems to be one of the ways one makes a hardened system. (This thought occurred as I got up for more coffee and had to step around the atomic clock that is sitting on the floor …. :) ) Bob > On Jun 21, 2019, at 10:01 PM, Sanjeev Gupta wrote: > > Bob, > > The hardware is cheap. The software is free. The skills to deploy are > widely available. But... > > A cable run from your rack in the middle of the datacenter, through to the > roof, is either impossible or thousands of dollars and weeks of planning. > > Data centers can run wires within the building for exorbitant costs, asking > them to run one to the exterior is, well, impossible. > > -- > Sanjeev Gupta > +65 98551208 http://www.linkedin.com/in/ghane > > > On Sat, Jun 22, 2019 at 6:06 AM Bob kb8tq wrote: > >> Hi >> >> Given the relatively low cost of a GPS based “Stratum 1” NTP, it’s not >> real clear >> why (at the end of the paper) they go off and “exchange emails >> individually with the >> organizations that run stratum 1 servers, as well as negotiate permission >> to use them.” >> to source the root time for the system. I would have thought that some >> sort of combo >> of on site and off site sources would be at the “top of the tree”. >> >> Bob >> >>> On Jun 21, 2019, at 2:20 PM, Marco Davids via time-nuts < >> time-nuts@lists.febo.com> wrote: >>> >>> Opinions, anyone? >>> >>> https://blog.cloudflare.com/secure-time/amp/ >>> >>> ("Introducing time.cloudflare.com") >>> >>> -- >>> Marco >>> >>> ___ >>> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com >>> To unsubscribe, go to >> http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com >>> and follow the instructions there. >> >> ___ >> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com >> To unsubscribe, go to >> http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com >> and follow the instructions there. >> > ___ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Cloudflare
Wow, what a well written article. I have been using Cloudflare's DNS service since it was introduced. Absolutely no issues whatsoever. These people are top notch. I anticipate this new service will be as well. Didier KO4BB On Fri, Jun 21, 2019, 3:03 PM Marco Davids via time-nuts < time-nuts@lists.febo.com> wrote: > Opinions, anyone? > > https://blog.cloudflare.com/secure-time/amp/ > > ("Introducing time.cloudflare.com") > > -- > Marco > > ___ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there. > ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Cloudflare
On Sat, Jun 22, 2019 at 6:00 AM Bob Bownes wrote: > > Most of the good data centers I’ve used either offer a connection to a > stratum 1 server or are more than happy to put a antenna on the roof. Many > offer microwave as a third redundant circuit path, which requires an > antenna. All for a price, of course. > > When I worked for an ILEC, many moons ago, we had two and a half floors at > 60 Hudson St. Our stratum 1 antenna was literally glued to a window. Next > to a 10GHz dish. :) > > My hotel in Toronto two weeks ago overlooked a building that was clearly > someone’s data center, based on the 6 generators, massive AC, numerous > microwave links, and yes, GPS bullet antennas, covering the roof. > > Bob > Because of MIFID II etc. some datacenters are now providing traceable time services https://www.npl.co.uk/products-services/time-frequency/npltime/npl-ubs-whitepaper (NPL is the UK equiv of NIST in the US) As others have said, to get a cross connect is one thing, to get roof access is another. Cheers Arne ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Cloudflare
Hi, On Fri, Jun 21, 2019 at 6:07 PM Bob kb8tq wrote: > Hi > > Given the relatively low cost of a GPS based “Stratum 1” NTP, it’s not > real clear > why (at the end of the paper) they go off and “exchange emails > individually with the > organizations that run stratum 1 servers, as well as negotiate permission > to use them.” > to source the root time for the system. I would have thought that some > sort of combo > of on site and off site sources would be at the “top of the tree”. > CF does not own their 185 datacenters across the globe. These are rented spaces. Some are not affable to GPS setup (no rooftop access or GPS farms etc.). Even if they were there is extra cost for GPS setup, rent, maintenance, requires traveling to remote physical locations if something goes wrong and more... CF has 185 datacenters and so the cost and effort accumulates. Using external stratum 1 servers was a more reasonable option. CF made sure that their servers are connected to the closest available authenticated S1s. Buying their own S1s is definitely on the table. Best, Aanchal. > > Bob > > > On Jun 21, 2019, at 2:20 PM, Marco Davids via time-nuts < > time-nuts@lists.febo.com> wrote: > > > > Opinions, anyone? > > > > https://blog.cloudflare.com/secure-time/amp/ > > > > ("Introducing time.cloudflare.com") > > > > -- > > Marco > > > > ___ > > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > > To unsubscribe, go to > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > > and follow the instructions there. > > ___ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there. > ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Cloudflare
hi On Fri, Jun 21, 2019 at 11:01 PM Sanjeev Gupta wrote: > Bob, > > The hardware is cheap. The software is free. The skills to deploy are > widely available. But... > > A cable run from your rack in the middle of the datacenter, through to the > roof, is either impossible or thousands of dollars and weeks of planning. > > Data centers can run wires within the building for exorbitant costs, asking > them to run one to the exterior is, well, impossible. > +1 > > -- > Sanjeev Gupta > +65 98551208 http://www.linkedin.com/in/ghane > > > On Sat, Jun 22, 2019 at 6:06 AM Bob kb8tq wrote: > > > Hi > > > > Given the relatively low cost of a GPS based “Stratum 1” NTP, it’s not > > real clear > > why (at the end of the paper) they go off and “exchange emails > > individually with the > > organizations that run stratum 1 servers, as well as negotiate permission > > to use them.” > > to source the root time for the system. I would have thought that some > > sort of combo > > of on site and off site sources would be at the “top of the tree”. > > > > Bob > > > > > On Jun 21, 2019, at 2:20 PM, Marco Davids via time-nuts < > > time-nuts@lists.febo.com> wrote: > > > > > > Opinions, anyone? > > > > > > https://blog.cloudflare.com/secure-time/amp/ > > > > > > ("Introducing time.cloudflare.com") > > > > > > -- > > > Marco > > > > > > ___ > > > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > > > To unsubscribe, go to > > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > > > and follow the instructions there. > > > > ___ > > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > > To unsubscribe, go to > > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > > and follow the instructions there. > > > ___ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there. > ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Cloudflare
Hi I’m not advocating that you must have 185 “in house Stratum 1 devices. I’m really saying that having a limited number of devices that you have full control over *is* a good idea. Is that three or is it thirty? Obviously the more the better, but the big boost comes from at least having a couple. Yes there are all sorts of assumptions down in the bowels of that suggestion. None of them may be correct. If so…. sorry about that !!! There might seem to be an implicit suggestion that they be GPS/ GNSS based. Actually a mix of time sources would be better than all of them depending on one source. GNSS is nice because one gizmo could be deployed anywhere in the world. Doing things off of MSF / WWVB etc gets into region specific configuration (and possibly region specific hardware). Bob > On Jun 22, 2019, at 11:30 AM, Aanchal Malhotra wrote: > > Hi, > > On Fri, Jun 21, 2019 at 6:07 PM Bob kb8tq wrote: > >> Hi >> >> Given the relatively low cost of a GPS based “Stratum 1” NTP, it’s not >> real clear >> why (at the end of the paper) they go off and “exchange emails >> individually with the >> organizations that run stratum 1 servers, as well as negotiate permission >> to use them.” >> to source the root time for the system. I would have thought that some >> sort of combo >> of on site and off site sources would be at the “top of the tree”. >> > > CF does not own their 185 datacenters across the globe. These are rented > spaces. Some are not affable to GPS setup (no rooftop access or GPS farms > etc.). Even if they were there is extra cost for GPS setup, rent, > maintenance, requires traveling to remote physical locations if something > goes wrong and more... CF has 185 datacenters and so the cost and effort > accumulates. Using external stratum 1 servers was a more reasonable option. > CF made sure that their servers are connected to the closest available > authenticated S1s. > Buying their own S1s is definitely on the table. > > Best, > Aanchal. > >> >> Bob >> >>> On Jun 21, 2019, at 2:20 PM, Marco Davids via time-nuts < >> time-nuts@lists.febo.com> wrote: >>> >>> Opinions, anyone? >>> >>> https://blog.cloudflare.com/secure-time/amp/ >>> >>> ("Introducing time.cloudflare.com") >>> >>> -- >>> Marco >>> >>> ___ >>> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com >>> To unsubscribe, go to >> http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com >>> and follow the instructions there. >> >> ___ >> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com >> To unsubscribe, go to >> http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com >> and follow the instructions there. >> > ___ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Cloudflare
On Sat, Jun 22, 2019 at 11:02 AM Didier Juges wrote: > Wow, what a well written article. > Thanks! > > I have been using Cloudflare's DNS service since it was introduced. > Absolutely no issues whatsoever. These people are top notch. > I anticipate this new service will be as well. > Agreed. > > Didier KO4BB > > On Fri, Jun 21, 2019, 3:03 PM Marco Davids via time-nuts < > time-nuts@lists.febo.com> wrote: > > > Opinions, anyone? > > > > https://blog.cloudflare.com/secure-time/amp/ > > > > ("Introducing time.cloudflare.com") > > > > -- > > Marco > > > > ___ > > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > > To unsubscribe, go to > > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > > and follow the instructions there. > > > ___ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there. > ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Cloudflare
[Sorry about going off-topic. I'll stop now.] On Sat, Jun 22, 2019 at 3:42 AM Hal Murray wrote: > > 2) Anycast. > > What does anycast mean when DNS returns 2 IPv4 addresses? Is the client > expected to do anything other than use the first address returned? > No. The name is a *server* target not a *pool* target. Using more than one address can result in a single source masquerading as multiple sources which is not considered best practice when building an NTP network. On Sat, Jun 22, 2019 at 10:19 AM Bob kb8tq wrote: > One traditional answer is the “run to the window” approach. > Cloudflare says they have 11 offices in 6 countries. They probably have some (proxy) windows and I would expect excellent network access. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Cloudflare
kb...@n1k.org said: > Given the relatively low cost of a GPS based âStratum 1â NTP, itâs not > real > clear why (at the end of the paper) they go off and âexchange emails > individually with the organizations that run stratum 1 servers, as well as > negotiate permission to use them.â to source the root time for the system. > I > would have thought that some sort of combo of on site and off site sources > would be at the âtop of the treeâ. I have no inside information... Maybe reading between some lines. It's a tangled mess. Some of their 180 sites do not have stratum 1 servers and/or they may want to use external stratum 1 servers for sanity check and backup. Many sites with stratum 1 servers do not want the load they would get from general public access but are happy to allow access for a good reason. Negotiating that access would probably involve email. They are using (old) shared key authentication. (probably because the servers they want to talk to don't support NTS yet) That requires out of band communications to setup the shared key. Email is probably the most convenient way to do that. -- These are my opinions. I hate spam. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Cloudflare
I bought one of these (https://www.ebay.com/itm/GPSDO-10M-Output-GPS-Disciplined-Oscillator-Clock-Sinusoidal-Wave-RS232-US-SHIP/172933685909?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649) a couple of months ago. I only have a 9-digit frequency counter to measure it with, and the counter only has a 1 ppm TCXO, but, subject to those constraints, it's been rock solid. Lot less expensive than a Trimble. Interior photos here (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/bg7tbl-gpsdo-master-reference/msg2457417/#msg2457417). Karl -Original Message- From: time-nuts On Behalf Of Don Meadows Sent: Friday, June 21, 2019 7:28 AM To: time-nuts@lists.febo.com Subject: [time-nuts] GPSDO 10MHZ Splitter I don’t have a GPSDO yet, I just can’t decide on one. I am leaning to the Trimble, but it’s still undecided. Could anyone comment on buying a “Refurbished by Seller” GPSDO on E-bay. They are a few dollars cheaper, but I really want one I can have trust and confidence in. Sorry for the long post. Thanks, Don Sent from Mail for Windows 10 ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there. On Sat, Jun 22, 2019 at 3:00 PM -0700, "Hal Murray" mailto:hmur...@megapathdsl.net>> wrote: kb...@n1k.org said: > Given the relatively low cost of a GPS based “Stratum 1†NTP, it’s not > real > clear why (at the end of the paper) they go off and “exchange emails > individually with the organizations that run stratum 1 servers, as well as > negotiate permission to use them.†to source the root time for the system. > I > would have thought that some sort of combo of on site and off site sources > would be at the “top of the treeâ€. I have no inside information... Maybe reading between some lines. It's a tangled mess. Some of their 180 sites do not have stratum 1 servers and/or they may want to use external stratum 1 servers for sanity check and backup. Many sites with stratum 1 servers do not want the load they would get from general public access but are happy to allow access for a good reason. Negotiating that access would probably involve email. They are using (old) shared key authentication. (probably because the servers they want to talk to don't support NTS yet) That requires out of band communications to setup the shared key. Email is probably the most convenient way to do that. -- These are my opinions. I hate spam. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com and follow the instructions there.