
GPS Time Servers for Network Time Synchronization
Synchronizing time is crucial for any network - from logging events and transactions to improving the consistency and accuracy of time throughout your network. Many devices on a network have the ability to be a time server, but are they all created equal? No, definitely not.
With many devices on a network that all show the time, how can you tell what the "right" time is and how can synchronized and accurate time be served throughout my network? Some networks rely on a public time server, from NIST or ntp.pool.org to serve time. However, using a public time server comes with several caveats, including questions of network security, reliability if the internet goes down, and accuracy with latency of external network transmissions. Some networks may use a single device within the network as its reference time source to solve the issue of synchronization, but that does not ensure accuracy with a reliable time source. Since time is at the center of your network, accuracy, reliability, and synchronization are critical. TimeMachines has two Stratum 1 GPS network time servers that solve the common issues with accuracy, reliability, and time synchronization within a network.
So how does a GPS time server work? Satellites from the Global Positioning System orbit the Earth and carry very stable atomic clocks. Each satellite continuously transmits an RF signal with time and position information. The TimeMachines GPS network time server has an antenna to receive the time and position information from multiple GPS satellites that orbit the Earth to calculate time with sub-millisecond accuracy. Then, depending on the time server, either NTP or PTP network timing protocols are used to distribute that time to the various clients throughout your network. Not only is such a high level of accuracy possible with a GPS server, but it also achieves time synchronization throughout your network without security or reliability concerns.
NTP vs. PTP: Which GPS time server do I need?
Already know what you need? Scroll down to make your selection or CLICK HERE NOW!
If you are still not sure, we've compiled a feature comparison to help you parse out the differences between our GPS time server models to see which one best meets your requirements. The TM1000A is a simple NTP only GPS time server. The TM2000 models have both NTP and PTP capabilities, as well as an internal oscillator to maintain accurate time in the case of a GPS signal loss. While the TM2000A is no longer available, it has been replaced with the next generation TM2000B. The TM2000B has all the same great features and functionality of the TM2000A, but has additional processing to improve the holdover accuracy. And per customer feedback, the TM2500B was developed with some additional capabilities and outputs - 10MHz or 1PPS. All of our GPS time servers are durable, accurate, and made in the USA!
Features: | TM1000A | TM2000B | TM2500C |
Source of Time Served | US GPS satellites | US GPS satellites | US GPS satellites |
Stratum Level | Stratum 1 (GPS) | Stratum 1 (GPS) | Stratum 1 (GPS) |
NTP requests per second | >350 | >750 | >750 |
NTP Authentication | NO | MD5/SHA1 | MD5/SHA1 |
Manual Time Setting | NO | YES | YES |
Peer NTP Updates | NO | YES | YES |
SNMP Management | NO | V2/V3 | V2/V3 |
Web-Based Setup | YES | YES | YES |
Network Interface Speed | 10/100 | 10/100 + HW Time Stamp | 10/100 + HW Time Stamp |
Time Protocols Supported | NTP (v1-v4) | NTP (v1-v4)/PTP v2 | NTP (v1-v4)/PTP v2 |
Internal Osciallator/Holdover Time Source | NO | OCXO 20ppb | OCXO 20ppb |
Improved Holdover Accuracy | N/A | YES | YES |
Precision Time Protocol, Unicast and Multicast | NO | YES | YES |
Linux Embedded OS | NO | YES | YES |
GPS Lock Requirement | 2D | 3D (optional 2D) | 3D (optional 2D) |
NMEA Output | YES | NO | NO |
1 PPS OUTPUT | YES | NO | YES |
10 MHz OUTPUT | NO | NO | YES |
Synchronized 10MHz Signal | NO | NO | YES |
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GPS NTP Network Time Server (TM1000A)
$349.99GPS NTP Network Time Server (TM1000A)
$349.99The TM1000A is a simple NTP GPS network time server. It is a cost-effective solution that makes Stratum 1 time synchronization possible across your network.
Included with EACH TM1000A purchase:
5V Power Supply, GPS Patch Antenna, Quick Set-up Guide
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GPS NTP+PTP Network Time Server (TM2000B)
$549.99GPS NTP+PTP Network Time Server (TM2000B)
$549.99The TM2000B is the latest release in the TM2000 NTP/PTP GPS time server product line with improved holdover accuracy, but the same price, features, and reliability of the TM2000A. Time serving accuracy is key, and that is what you’ve come to expect from TimeMachines!
Included with EACH TM2000B purchase:
12V Power Supply, GPS Patch Antenna, Quick Set-up Guide
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GPS NTP+PTP Network Time Server with 10Mz Reference Frequency Output (TM2500C)
$799.99GPS NTP+PTP Network Time Server with 10Mz Reference Frequency Output (TM2500C)
$799.99The TM2500C is the newest addition in the NTP/PTP GPS time server product line with the same great features, improved holdover accuracy, and reliability of the TM2000, but includes additional reference output capabilities that our customers have requested. Now both 1PPS and 10MHz reference signal outputs can be obtained from the dual SMB connectors on the TM2500. Time serving accuracy is key, include some great features, and reference output, and TimeMachines delivers a quality product at a very reasonable price for your network infrastructure!
Included with EACH TM2500C purchase:
12V Power Supply, GPS Patch Antenna, Quick Set-up Guide, two (2) SMB to BNC cable, and a 10MHz test report
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