RFC - 4330

Simple Network Time Protocol (SNTP) Version 4 for IPv4, IPv6 and OSI

Original:	ftp://ftp.isi.edu/in-notes/rfc4330.txt
Authors:	D. Mills [University of Delaware]
Date:	January 2006
Category:	Informational

---

Obsoletes:
RFC-2030	Simple Network Time Protocol (SNTP) Version 4 for IPv4, IPv6 and OSI (Obsoleted by RFC-4330)
RFC-1769	Simple Network Time Protocol (SNTP) (Obsoleted by RFC-2030 -> RFC-4330, RFC-4330)

Referred by:	2 RFC
Refers to:	16 RFC

---

Status

This memo provides information for the Internet community. It does not specify an Internet standard of any kind. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

Copyright Notice

Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2006).

Abstract

This memorandum describes the Simple Network Time Protocol Version 4 (SNTPv4), which is a subset of the Network Time Protocol (NTP) used to synchronize computer clocks in the Internet. SNTPv4 can be used when the ultimate performance of a full NTP implementation based on RFC 1305 is neither needed nor justified. When operating with current and previous NTP and SNTP versions, SNTPv4 requires no changes to the specifications or known implementations, but rather clarifies certain design features that allow operation in a simple, stateless remote-procedure call (RPC) mode with accuracy and reliability expectations similar to the UDP/TIME protocol described in RFC 868.

This memorandum obsoletes RFC 1769, which describes SNTP Version 3 (SNTPv3), and RFC 2030, which describes SNTPv4. Its purpose is to correct certain inconsistencies in the previous documents and to clarify header formats and protocol operations for NTPv3 (IPv4) and SNTPv4 (IPv4, IPv6, and OSI), which are also used for SNTP. A further purpose is to provide guidance for home and business client implementations for routers and other consumer devices to protect the server population from abuse. A working knowledge of the NTPv3 specification, RFC 1305, is not required for an implementation of SNTP.

---