Windows 2000 Server DC Time Server

I am trying to configure a time server, details:

1. enviroment - one forest domain with one root domian
2. I have two windows 2000 server DC servers and five windows 2003 DC servers
3. my head office has two domain controllers one is W2K which was the first
DC and it has all the forest and domain operation master roles, there is also
a windows 2003 DC on this site which only a DC and GC. The other 5 DC servers
are located on branch offices and are all GC.
4. it seems that all pcs and servers are using one of the branch office DC
server as their time server. To elaborate this server is a W2K DC (GC) and is
located on a branch office.

I would like to setup my W2K DC at my head office as the time server and it
to take it time from a time source from the inrenet and then all other
servers and clients to take their time from this server can someone
help/advise

Hello Amrik,

In a domain the DC with PDCEmulator FSMO is the authoritative time source.
All DCs sync with that one and member servers and workstations choose one
available DC.

In your case configure the DC with PDCEmulator FSMO, check with "netdom query
fsmo", to an external time source:
w32tm /config /manualpeerlist:PEERS /syncfromflags:manual /reliable:yes /update

With "PEERS" you can set the time source, either DNS name (time.windows.com)
or an ip address from a reliable time source.

Here you can find some of them:
http://www.pool.ntp.org/

ON problem machines reconfigure them with:
w32tm /config /syncfromflags:domhier /update

After that run:
net stop w32time
net start w32time

This can also be scripted with a startup script. Make sure if firewalls are
used that port 123 UDP is open.

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
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> I am trying to configure a time server, details:
>
> 1. enviroment - one forest domain with one root domian
> 2. I have two windows 2000 server DC servers and five windows 2003 DC
> servers
> 3. my head office has two domain controllers one is W2K which was the
> first
> DC and it has all the forest and domain operation master roles, there
> is also
> a windows 2003 DC on this site which only a DC and GC. The other 5 DC
> servers
> are located on branch offices and are all GC.
> 4. it seems that all pcs and servers are using one of the branch
> office DC
> server as their time server. To elaborate this server is a W2K DC (GC)
> and is
> located on a branch office.
> I would like to setup my W2K DC at my head office as the time server
> and it to take it time from a time source from the inrenet and then
> all other servers and clients to take their time from this server can
> someone help/advise
>