Time Source Client Authentication
Applies To: Windows Server 2008
The Windows Time source authenticates with a time source client. In an Active Directory forest, the Windows Time service (W32time) relies on standard domain security features to enforce the authentication of time data. The security of Network Time Protocol (NTP) packets that are sent between a domain member and a local domain controller that is acting as a time server is based on shared key authentication. The Windows Time service uses the local computer's Kerberos session key to create authenticated signatures on NTP packets that are sent across the network. When a computer requests the time from a domain controller in the domain hierarchy, the Windows Time service requires that the time be authenticated. The domain controller then returns the required information in the form of a 64-bit value that has been authenticated with the session key from the NetLogon service. If the returned NTP packet is not signed with the computer’s session key or if it is not signed correctly, the time is rejected. In this way, the Windows Time service provides security for NTP data in an Active Directory forest.
Events
| Event ID | Source | Message |
|---|---|---|
Microsoft-Windows-Time-Service |
The time provider NtpServer encountered an error while digitally signing the NTP response for peer %1. NtpServer cannot provide secure (signed) time to the client and will ignore the request. The error was: %2 |