[PDF] cisco clock set ntp server

Why is NTP a preferred clock-setting method?

Devices setting the clock using NTP always have a more accurate time clock than a manually set clock. Likewise, all the NTP devices on your network will have the exact same time. These advantages make NTP the preferred clock-setting method. The accuracy of the clock on your device depends on the stratum number of the NTP server.

What does NTP server IP address> do?

The first command, ntp server , configures your Cisco device to use the specified NTP server; 64.209.210.20 is one of many publicly acces s ible NTP servers. If this is the only command you enter, your clock on your device will set itself to the Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) time zone.

How do I know if a Cisco device is synchronized with NTP?

The key information from the show ntp associations command is just to the left of the configured NTP server address. The asterisk indicates that your Cisco device has synchronized with this server. You can configure multiple NTP sources for redundancy, but the Cisco device will only choose one master NTP server to use at a time.

How do I set a clock on a Cisco router?

It tags logged messages on routers and switches with accurate time information. When Cisco devices boot, many of them default their date and time to noon on March 1, 1993. You have two options in setting the clock: manually, using the clock set command from the privileged EXEC mode, or automatically, using the Network Time Protocol (NTP).