Date: 31.07.

2015

Time Synchronization

using

Windows Time Service

Following are the steps for time synchronization in a windows based computer network.
Note that this procedure will not work if firewall is present between client and server. Few
additional steps need to be added which we will deal separately.

Step 1: Ensure connectivity of client with Time Source (master/server)

Computer (client/slave) synchronizes its time with some other computer (server/master) to which
it is connected. This server-client connectivity should be ensured first. This could be done by
simple ping command.

Step 2: Manage Windows Time Service

Service Name: W32Time

Windows Time Service: Maintains date and time synchronization on all clients and servers in
the network. If this service is stopped, date and time synchronization will be unavailable. If this
service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Press Window key + R.

Type services.msc and press enter key
Go to Windows Time service. Right click on the service and click on Start
Again right click on the service and go to Properties. In General tab look for Startup
Type. Change Startup type to Automatic.
5. Restart the computer.

Step 3: Manage the Master/server computer

1. Press Window key + R.
2. Type regedit and press enter key
3. Make following changes in registry.

Date: 31.07.2015
a. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\W32Time\TimeP
roviders\NtpServer\Enabled value = 1
b. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\W32Time\Confi
g\AnnounceFlagsvalue = 1
c. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\W32Time\TimeP
roviders\NtpClient\Enabled value = 0
Note: This value should be kept 1 if this computer acts as client for upstream time server
d. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\W32Time\TimeP
roviders\VMICTimeProvider\Enabled value = 0

Step 4: Restarting the time service on master.

1. Press Window key + R.
2. Type cmd and press enter key.
3. Execute these two commands (a) net stop w32time and then (b) net start w32time
OR
Execute net stop w32time && net start w32time

Step 5: Manage the client computer

1. Press Window key + R.
2. Type regedit and press enter key
3. Make following changes in registry.
a. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\W32Time\TimeP
roviders\NtpClient\Enabled value = 1
b. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\W32Time\TimeP
roviders\NtpClient\SpecialPollInterval value = 60 for each 60 seconds.)
c. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\W32Time\Param
eters\Type value = NTP
d. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\W32Time\Param
eters\NTPServer value =NTPServerIPAddress, 0X01

Step 6: Final Check.

Re-sync the time.
1. Press Window key + R.
2. Type cmd and press enter key.
3. Execute command w32tm/resync
4. Execute command net time

Date: 31.07.2015

KPO Time Synchronization Architecture

in.pool.ntp.org
Level 3 Network

TATA Steel
PC-1
Plant Network

PC-2

PC-3

PC-4

PC-5

Note:
PC-2 acts as client for Tata Steel
time server but it acts as a time
server for PC-3. Similarly, PC-3 acts
as a client for PC-2 but it acts as a
time server for PC-4 and PC-5.