Configure Windows 7 client to sync with more than 1 NTP Servers

[jjvv]

Hi

In my network, I have got 200+ Windows 7 Pro 64bit clients running in WORKGROUP setup. They are not part of any domain network.

We have got 3 external NTP Servers available to sync the Windows7 clients with the latest and updated time. I am not sure how to configure Windows 7 clients to talk to these NTP servers(Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary).

I would greatly appreciate any of your help in getting it configured to work.

Regards
JJVV

 

[TanyaC]

Hi,

Welcome to 7 forums.

To configure NTP servers there appears to be no GUI. But you can use the W32TM CLI. W32TM /? will give you a list of options. Use the /config command to configure your ntp peers list.

pool.ntp.org: the internet cluster of ntp servers has a pool of servers that you can use.

This is an example I found on Technet (Credit tekcert.com | Business. Technology. Certifications.)

w32tm /config /syncfromflags:manual /manualpeerlist:"10.0.10.20,0×1 0.us.pool.ntp .org,0×1 time.apple.com,0×1 " /update /reliable:yes

More information about the W32TM command can be found here..

Technet - W32tm

 

[jjvv]

Thanks Tanya for the response.

What does the 0x1 before the second and third NTP Server that you have mentioned? Does it mean they are the secondary servers?

Regards
JJVV

 

[TanyaC]

What does the 0x1 before the second and third NTP Server that you have mentioned? Does it mean they are the secondary servers?

Near as I can tell, it means the server is a DNS name. When you specify the server by IP address you omit 0x1.

Just had a hunt through my history from when I set this up a couple of years ago, and found another site that might explain things some more...

Windows Time and the W32TM service - The Industry Insiders - Site Home - TechNet Blogs

hth

 

[chev65]

I'm not sure about how to use multiple NTP servers but it appears as if some registry adjustments are required.

How To Synchronize Microsoft Windows to a NTP Server | TimeTools