# Differences between X.pool.ntp.org and N.X.pool.ntp.org

**URL:** <https://community.ntppool.org/t/differences-between-x-pool-ntp-org-and-n-x-pool-ntp-org/2170>\
**Category:** Uncategorized\
**Tags:** dns\
**Created:** [September 30, 2021, 2:27am UTC](https://community.ntppool.org/t/differences-between-x-pool-ntp-org-and-n-x-pool-ntp-org/2170 "2021-09-30T02:27:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 2

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**Author:** ![marco.davids](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/community.ntppool.org/marco.davids/32/767_2.png) [@marco.davids](https://community.ntppool.org/u/marco.davids)\
**Post date:** [September 30, 2021, 6:23am UTC](https://community.ntppool.org/t/differences-between-x-pool-ntp-org-and-n-x-pool-ntp-org/2170/2 "2021-09-30T06:23:04Z")

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Hi Viajaz and welcome!

If i’m correct there is no major difference between the two except for their intended use case. In other words; this is primarily a cosmetic thing. Please read this explanation for further information:

[https://kb.meinbergglobal.com/kb/time\_sync/ntp/configuration/ntp\_pool\_usage](https://kb.meinbergglobal.com/kb/time_sync/ntp/configuration/ntp_pool_usage)

In short; with the ‘`pool`’-directive you can use ‘`au.pool.ntp.org`’ and with the ‘`server`’-directive is is best to use ‘`[0123].au.pool.ntp.org`’, in your example.

There is one notable difference though, that I would like to mention. Only `2[.X].pool.ntp.org` provides IPv6-addresses (AAAA-records). So, if you want IPv6 and also prefer to use the recommended ‘`pool`’-directive, just put `2.au.pool.ntp.org` there, not `au.pool.ntp.org`. Some [software does this by default](https://community.ntppool.org/t/its-2019-and-still-no-ipv6-by-default/972/16) nowadays.

Hope this helped!

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