Network Time Protocol (NTP)

See also Clock sync and Clock drift

Not to be confused with Daytime Protocol, Time Protocol, or NNTP.

The Network Time Protocol (NTP) is a networking protocol for clock synchronization between computer systems over packet-switched, variable-latency data networks. In operation since before 1985, NTP is one of the oldest Internet protocols in current use. NTP was designed by David L. Mills of the University of Delaware.

NTP is intended to synchronize all participating computers to within a few milliseconds of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

Network Time Protocol


Return to Networking topics

Internet protocol suite

Application layer:

Transport layer:

Internet layer:

Link layer:

(IPStack navbar)