🕰️ Public NTP/NTS Time Server

This clock displays Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), derived directly from the server's authoritative system clock. To ensure accuracy, the display utilizes Network Latency Compensation and re-synchronizes with the server every minute.

✨ About This Server

Operating as a high-precision Stratum 1 time server since 2024, this system delivers time via Network Time Protocol (NTP) v4 and Network Time Security (NTS). The system is actively monitored and maintained on a permanent basis, with the goal of over 99% uptime for optimal performance and availability. We strongly recommend using NTS, which leverages cryptographic authentication to prevent packet manipulation and Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks, ensuring the verifiable integrity of your time source.

This server also participates in the NTP Pool Project.

• Stratum: 1
• Reference clock: Multi-GNSS (GPS + Galileo)
• PPS: Yes, aligned to UTC(USNO)
• Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
• Service area: North America
• Internet protocol: IPv4
• Access policy: Open to public (rate limits apply)

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⚙️ Hardware & Technical Details

The server operates on a dedicated Linux-based computer. A high-precision GNSS timing module is interfaced with the system, producing a 1 Pulse Per Second (PPS) signal to ensure high-accuracy time synchronization.

The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver is mounted in a fixed location. The exact location of the receiver has been "surveyed-in", and the module operates in a "timing" mode, resulting in maximum timing accuracy.

The server also uses the National Research Council Canada (NRC) authenticated NTP pool of servers as backup time sources. In the rare event that the GNSS signals become unhealthy or unavailable, the server will switch to the backup NTP sources and will continue to serve time as a Stratum 3 server until the GNSS signals become healthy and available again.

For the benefit of anyone wishing to setup a public (or private) NTP/NTS server, we prepared detailed configuration instructions here.

💻 Usage Instructions

To use the server, add the following line in your configuration file for either NTPsec or chrony (or may be adapted to your environment):

• The iburst option accelerates the initial clock synchronization by sending a burst of 4–8 requests upon startup.
• The nts option enables the Network Time Security (NTS) mechanism for authenticated, secure time synchronization.