Continuum/server™ keeps time for your LAN

Continuum/server is a time server and synchronization application for all Continuum products on the local network. Most installations require only one or two time servers, depending on network size and topography.
Continuum/server runs transparently from your taskbar and/or your system tray as a client, server, or both. It also includes extra features like the ability to measure clock drift, has multiple alarm clocks and time fault warnings.

As a time server, Continuum/server listens for requests on a specified port. When a request is received, it sends the server's local time over the network to the computer that requested it. When acting as a client, Continuum/server retrieves the time from a server listening for requests using the Network Time Protocol (RFC-1305), also known as NTP. This server might be another Continuum/server application acting as a server, or other known accurate time source such as a number of servers run by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and other institutions.

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What happens if the Continuum/server's time is inaccurate?

If the Continuum/server's time is inaccurate, then all other clients that are receiving the time from the server will also be inaccurate. If all you are looking for is clock synchronization over your network this may be acceptable, but if you need synchronization and accurate time, the best solution is to run Continuum/server as both a client and a server. In this situation, the Continuum/server listens for requests as a normal server but also periodically updates its own time from an accurate outside source, such as a NTP server.

OK, so what is the best way to implement clock synchronization over our network?

Typically, one or two computers on the local area network (LAN) are running Continuum/server or Continuum Service. This trusted host is selected as the time server to all other computers running a Continuum product on the LAN. This trusted server is also set up as a client to an accurate time source, usually outside the local network, to retrieve the correct time. Having the server(s) retrieve the time from an outside source maintains the accuracy of the time, while having all the other local network computers synchronize themselves to this trusted local host maintains a high degree of synchronization and precision.

Continuum and Continuum/server are developed and supported for Windows 95/98/NT4/2000/XP.
All Continuum products are provided on an install CD-ROM, complete with electronic documentation.