Time synchronization occurs when all network components share the same time, either with one another or with an external time source.
Time synchronization is managed by your IT team or Windows domain and is required for Security Center to process timestamps for events and video archives accurately.
About Windows Time service
The Windows Time service (W32Time) maintains date and time synchronization for Windows computers. It uses the Simple Network Time Protocol (SNTP), which ensures loose synchronization, meaning all Windows machines in a forest agree within 20 seconds of one another, or within 2 seconds at a specific site.
If a domain controller is available on the network, all computers in that domain automatically synchronize with it. Otherwise, manual configuration is required. When properly configured, the time server periodically synchronizes the client clock.
- If the client clock is less than 3 minutes ahead of the server, W32Time gradually slows the clock to bring it into sync.
- If the client clock is more than 3 minutes ahead, W32Time updates the time immediately.
- If the client clock is behind the server, W32Time also updates the time immediately.
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