Update comparison with ntpd

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Miroslav Lichvar 2013-06-19 18:25:28 +02:00
parent 38e889c85c
commit 8bf87bbfde

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@ -94,9 +94,9 @@ messages between different machines on the network.
In writing the @code{chronyd} program, extensive use has been made of
RFC1305, written by David Mills. I have occasionally referred to the
@code{xntp} suite's source code to check details of the protocol that
@code{ntp} suite's source code to check details of the protocol that
the RFC did not make absolutely clear. The core algorithms in
@code{chronyd} are all completely distinct from @code{xntp}, however.
@code{chronyd} are all completely distinct from @code{ntp}, however.
@c }}}
@c {{{ S:Availability
@node Availability
@ -148,34 +148,50 @@ requires access to such systems to test out the driver.
@node Other time synchronisation packages
@section Relationship to other software packages
@menu
* Comparison with xntpd::
* Comparison with ntpd::
* Comparison with timed::
@end menu
@node Comparison with xntpd
@subsection xntpd
@node Comparison with ntpd
@subsection ntpd
The `reference' implementation of the Network Time Protocol is the
program @code{xntpd}, available via
@uref{http://www.eecis.udel.edu/~ntp, The NTP home page}.
program @code{ntpd}, available via
@uref{http://www.ntp.org/, The NTP home page}.
@code{xntpd} is designed to support all the operating modes defined by
RFC1305, and has driver support for a large number of reference clocks
(such as GPS receivers) that can be connected directly to a computer,
thereby providing a so-called 'stratum 1' server.
Things @code{chronyd} can do that @code{xntpd} can't:
One of the main differences between @code{ntpd} and @code{chronyd} is in
the algorithms used to control the computer's clock. Things
@code{chronyd} can do better than @code{ntpd}:
@itemize @bullet
@item
@code{chronyd} can perform usefully in an environment where access to
the time reference is intermittent. @code{chronyd} estimates
@emph{both} the current time offset @emph{and} the rate at which the
computer's clock gains or loses time, and can use that rate estimate to
trim the clock after the reference disappears. @code{xntpd} corrects
any time offset by speeding up and slowing down the computer clock, and
so could be left with a significant rate error if the reference
disappears whilst it is trying to correct a big offset.
the time reference is intermittent. @code{ntpd} needs regular polling
of the reference to work well.
@item
@code{chronyd} can usually synchronise the clock faster and with better
time accuracy.
@item
@code{chronyd} quickly adapts to sudden changes in the rate of the clock
(e.g. due to changes in the temperature of the crystal oscillator).
@code{ntpd} may need a long time to settle down again.
@item
@code{chronyd} can perform well even when the network is congested for
longer periods of time.
@item
@code{chronyd} in the default configuration never steps the time to not
upset other running programs. @code{ntpd} can be configured to never
step the time too, but it has to use a different means of adjusting the
clock, which has some
disadvantages.
@item
@code{chronyd} can adjust the rate of the clock on Linux in a larger
range, which allows it to operate even on machines with broken or
unstable clock (e.g. in some virtual machines).
@end itemize
Things @code{chronyd} can do that @code{ntpd} can't:
@itemize @bullet
@item
@code{chronyd} provides support for isolated networks whether the only
method of time correction is manual entry (e.g. by the administrator
@ -189,33 +205,27 @@ subsequently.
`real-time clock', i.e. the clock that maintains the time when the
computer is turned off. It can use this data when the system boots to
set the system time from a corrected version of the real-time clock.
These real-time clock facilities are only available on certain releases
of Linux, so far.
@item
The @code{xntpd} program is supported by other programs to carry out
certain functions. @code{ntpdate} is used to provide an initial
correction to the system clock based on a `one-shot' sampling of other
NTP servers. @code{tickadj} is used to adjust certain operating system
parameters to make @code{xntpd} work better. All this functionality is
integrated into @code{chronyd}.
These real-time clock facilities are only available on Linux, so far.
@end itemize
Things @code{xntpd} can do that @code{chronyd} can't:
Things @code{ntpd} can do that @code{chronyd} can't:
@itemize @bullet
@item
@code{xntpd} supports effectively all of RFC1305, including broadcast /
multicast clients and extra encryption schemes for authenticating
data packets.
@code{ntpd} fully supports NTP version 4 (RFC5905), including broadcast,
multicast, manycast clients / servers and the orphan mode. It also
supports extra authentication schemes based on public-key cryptography
(RFC5906). @code{chronyd} uses NTP version 3 (RFC1305), which is
compatible with version 4.
@item
@code{xntpd} has been ported to more types of computer / operating
system (so far).
@code{ntpd} has been ported to more types of computer / operating
system.
@item
xntpd is designed to work solely with integer arithmetic (i.e. does not
require floating point support from its host).
@code{ntpd} includes drivers for many reference clocks. @code{chronyd}
relies on other programs (e.g. gpsd) to access the data from the
reference clocks.
@end itemize
@node Comparison with timed
@ -1417,7 +1427,7 @@ configured as a point-to-point client by defining specific NTP servers and
peers. This broadcast server feature is intended for providing a time source
to other NTP software (e.g. various MS Windows clients).
If xntpd is used as the broadcast client, it will try to use a point-to-point
If ntpd is used as the broadcast client, it will try to use a point-to-point
client/server NTP access to measure the round-trip delay. Thus, the broadcast
subnet should also be the subject of an @code{allow} directive (@pxref{allow
directive}).
@ -2492,7 +2502,7 @@ on your machine.
The compiled in default is udp/123, the standard NTP port. It is
unlikely that you would ever need to change this value. A possible
exception would be if you wanted to operate strictly in client-only
mode and never be available as a server to xntpd clients.
mode and never be available as a server to ntpd clients.
An example of the port command is