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NTP servers are essential devices for computer network synchronisation. Ensuring a network coincides with UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) is vital in modern communications such as the Internet and is the primary function of the network time server (NTP time server).

As their name suggests, these servers use the protocol NTP (Network Time Protocol) to handle the synchronisation requests. NTP is already installed in many operating systems and synchronisation is possible without an NTP server by utilising an Internet clock source, this can be unsecure and inaccurate for many network needs.

NTP servers receive a far more accurate and secure time signal. There are two methods of receiving the time using a server like this: either utilise the GPS network or receiving long wave radio transmissions.

Both these methods of receiving a clock source are secure as they are external to any network firewall. They are also accurate as both these clock references are generated directly by atomic clocks rather than an Internet clock service that are normally NTP devices connected to a third party atomic clock.

The GPS network provides an ideal reference clock for NTP servers as the signals are available anywhere. The only downside of using the GPS network is that a view of the sky is required to lock-on to a satellite.

Radio referenced sources are more flexible in that the long wave signal can be received indoors. They are limited in strength and not every country has a time signal although some signals such as the German DCF and the USA WVBB are available in neighbouring states.