Full form: Network Time Protocol
Also known as: Network Time Protocol
Quick Definition
A protocol that synchronises clocks across network devices.
NTP synchronises the clocks of routers, switches, and servers to a common time source. Accurate time is critical for log timestamps, digital certificates, scheduled tasks, and security audit trails. NTP uses a hierarchical structure: Stratum 0 is an atomic clock, Stratum 1 servers sync to Stratum 0, Stratum 2 sync to Stratum 1, and so on. Cisco devices can be configured as NTP clients (sync from a server) or NTP servers/peers. NTP uses UDP port 123.
ntp server 216.239.35.0 ! configure NTP server show ntp status show ntp associations
NTP uses UDP port 123. Syslog uses UDP 514. These are frequently tested port numbers on the CCNA exam. Accurate time is also required for proper syslog correlation and AAA logging.
NTP synchronises the clocks of routers, switches, and servers to a common time source. Accurate time is critical for log timestamps, digital certificates, scheduled tasks, and security audit trails. NTP uses a hierarchical structure: Stratum 0 is an atomic clock, Stratum 1 servers sync to Stratum 0, Stratum 2 sync to Stratum 1, and so on. Cisco devices can be configured as NTP clients (sync from a server) or NTP servers/peers. NTP uses UDP port 123.
NTP uses UDP port 123. Syslog uses UDP 514. These are frequently tested port numbers on the CCNA exam. Accurate time is also required for proper syslog correlation and AAA logging.
NTP falls under the Management domain of the 200-301 exam. Understanding it in context with related terms like syslog and snmp is essential for answering scenario-based questions correctly.