[kictanet] Synchronizing Time Locally - NTP.KENIC.OR.KE

[Vincent Ngundi]

Dear All,

FYI.

In 2005, KENIC in line with its mandate to promote ICT's in the  
Kenya, set up a GPS enabled NTP Server, ntp.kenic.or.ke, at the Kenya  
Internet eXchange Point (KIXP) to provide date and time integrity for  
computers.  Most service providers have implemented time  
synchronization on their systems utilizing network time servers  
located in foreign countries. However, the time synchronization  
services are not extended to their clients due to unreliable  
connectivity and prohibitive costs associated with international  
links. Consequently, most of their clients are oblivious of the  
services' existence.

Implementation of NTP services for the local Internet community  
utilizes the Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, and is  
expected to retain 0.5% of the current Internet traffic (NTP traffic)  
locally therefore enabling the service providers to extend the NTP  
services to their clients. Organizational expenses saved from  
operational failures and data losses due to time inconsistencies  
would be impossible to estimate.  Consequently, date and time  
integrity and accuracy on computerised data information is essential  
for computer forensics procedures. The increased local content  
traffic is essential in promoting the development local content and  
local hosting and ensuring the operational stability of the Internet  
in Kenya.

Some of the organisations utilizing the local NTP services include  
some Government bodies, ISP's, banks, corporates, and some  
educational institutions.

The local NTP server is synchronized to at least 5 satellites at any  
one time thus making it the most accurate time source in the country.  
Instructions on how to configure NTP services on various operating  
systems can be found at: http://www.kenic.or.ke/index.php? 
option=com_content&task=view&id=71&Itemid=87

Kind Regards,

-----------------
Vincent Ngundi
Administrative Manager
KENIC - The Kenya Network Information Center
http://www.kenic.or.ke
vincent at kenic.or.ke
[T] +254 20 4450057/8
[F] +254 20 4450087