CompTIA Network+ (N10-009)Network OperationsMedium
A company is implementing a new VoIP system and requires highly accurate time synchronization across all servers and client devices to ensure proper call logging and billing. The network engineer plans to configure an internal time server that will synchronize directly with a highly accurate external source, such as an atomic clock or GPS receiver. What stratum level would this internal time server typically operate at?
- AStratum 2
- BStratum 3
- CStratum 1
- DStratum 0
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Stratum 1
Stratum 1 NTP servers are directly synchronized to a highly accurate time source (like an atomic clock or GPS receiver). Stratum 0 refers to the primary time source itself, not the server connected to it. Internal servers synchronizing with a Stratum 1 server would be Stratum 2.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Stratum 2 servers synchronize with Stratum 1 servers.
- B. Stratum 3 servers synchronize with Stratum 2 servers.
- D. Stratum 0 refers to the primary reference clock (e.g., atomic clock, GPS receiver), not the server connected to it.
NTP Stratum Levels
NTP stratum levels indicate the distance from a primary time source, with lower numbers representing higher accuracy. Stratum 0 is the primary reference clock itself (e.g., atomic clock), and Stratum 1 servers are directly connected to a Stratum 0 source.
- Lower stratum number = higher accuracy.
- Stratum 0: Primary reference clock (e.g., atomic, GPS).
- Stratum 1: Server directly synchronized to a Stratum 0 source.
- Stratum N: Server synchronized to a Stratum N-1 server.
Memory trick: NTP strata: Zero is the source, One connects, Two follows.