- The Network Time Foundation (NTF) received a 2023 ARIN Community Grant to enhance the Network Time Protocol (NTP) through new TCP-based services.
- The project aims to improve network time synchronization with better security, monitoring, and functionality, benefiting millions globally.
What happened
The Network Time Foundation (NTF), a 2023 ARIN Community Grant recipient, used the funding to design, implement, and test the NTP TCP Services Daemon (ntptsd). This project upgrades the traditional NTP system, which relies on the less secure UDP protocol, by introducing a TCP-based framework for functions like key exchange, monitoring, and enhanced management. By leveraging tools like the libevent library, the team successfully developed a foundational framework for ntptsd, which will support more robust synchronization services and reduce potential abuse of NTP systems. This update is expected to be integrated into the upcoming NTP 4.4 release, impacting millions of users worldwide by improving accuracy and security in time-sensitive network applications.
Also read: ARIN hosts holiday toy drive to support local families in need
Also read: ARIN makes second contribution to IETF Endowment
Why it is important
Precise and secure time synchronization is essential for various industries, from telecommunications to financial services. The NTP upgrades supported by ARIN’s grant are critical as they address longstanding security vulnerabilities in the protocol. These improvements reduce the risk of cyberattacks while ensuring seamless operations for global networks. This effort also reflects ARIN’s commitment to fostering technological innovation and improving the internet’s infrastructure. The implementation of the ntptsd framework aligns with current needs for secure and scalable systems. “This funding allows us to make meaningful advancements in secure time synchronization,” said Harlan Stenn, President of the NTF. The widespread adoption of these updates will significantly benefit the internet community by enabling safer and more reliable network operations.
