Time Servers

ACOnet operates two time servers that are available to the public for time queries via NTP (Network Time Protocol). The two servers are located at different sites, and time synchronization is performed using different sources: GPS/Galileo and GPS.

The ACOnet time servers are accessible via the hostnames ts1.aco.net and ts2.aco.net. No administrative steps are necessary for this.

• ts1.aco.net
  • Stratum 1
  • Location: Digital Realty, 1210 Vienna
  • Time Source: GPS/Galileo
  • Protocols: NTP, PTP (internal)

• ts2.aco.net
  • Stratum 1
  • Location: University of Vienna (NIG), 1010 Vienna
  • Time Source: GPS
  • Protocol: NTP

Both servers are also available as pool servers for those who prefer to use the NTP Pool Service instead of specifying explicit server entries. The server ts1.aco.net is also capable of functioning as a PTP Grandmaster.

NTS (Network Time Security)

Many of today's most critical electronic security processes depend on accurate time: establishing encrypted TLS sessions, using DNSSEC, time-stamping financial transactions, and preventing online fraud, among others. Since NTP is not entirely immune to malicious manipulation, NTS was specified in 2020 to secure NTP cryptographically. NTS ensures that connected devices are receiving accurate time from a reliable source. It is available (also without formalities) at a time server of the University of Vienna:

• ts11.univie.ac.at
  • Stratum 2
  • Location: distributed (Anycast)
  • Time Sources: ts1.aco.net, ts2.aco.ne
  • Protocols: NTP, NTS
    
    

If you have any questions about the time servers, please get in touch with domain-admin(at)univie.ac.at.