Installation of a NTP time server (network time protocol) is relatively straight forward. Like other computer servers a NTP time server can be mounted to a rack or left as a stand alone.
NTP time servers are the same as other servers in their installation except that there is one other consideration to take into account and that is where the time signal is coming from.
NTP time servers can utilise any timing signal but for the purposes of network time synchronisation a UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) time source is a prerequisite. UTC is available from several sources. The most common source for UTC is from across the Internet however, as these external time servers can’t be authenticated, their accuracy verified and exist outside the firewall, no serious network administrator would consider using them.
Fortunately two readily available source of UTC time do exist: the GPS network and the national time and frequency transmissions, these both offer secure, reliable and highly accurate sources of UTC time (technically GPS does not broadcast UTC but an NTP time server will convert the time into UTC).
Which one of these two systems you plumb for will affect the installation of the NTP time server. Most radio referenced time servers will receive the long wave transmission indoors although some moving around of the equipment to reduce interference may be necessary.
With GPS the only consideration is that the antenna has to have a clear view of the sky so ideally should be placed on the roof, this has obvious constraints as there is a finite length of cable that can be used.
