Configuring NTP Authentication

In networks demanding higher security, the authentication function can be enabled when using the NTP protocol. Password authentication of both clients and servers ensures that a client only synchronizes with an authenticated device, improving the network security.

NTP authentication follows these rules:

• NTP authentication must be enabled first; otherwise, authentication cannot be implemented.

• NTP authentication needs to be configured on both the client and the server. Otherwise, NTP authentication does not take effect.

• When NTP authentication is enabled, a trusted key is configured on the client.

• Keys configured on the server and the client must be identical.

• Devices attempting to synchronize their clocks must declare their keys as reliable or NTP authentication will fail.

In NTP symmetric peer mode, the symmetric active peer functions as a client and the symmetric passive peer functions as a server.