Entry level GPS Stratum 1 NTP Server

Server operators
1

Thought this device would be useful for anyone thinking of joining the NTP Pool on a budget. It allows someone to learn about Stratum 1 NTP time serving, without making a large commitment on hardware or software configuration setup.

It could also be used to augment existing, which is what I am doing.

I am running several of these alongside my Leo NTP 1200s.

It features:

  • Standalone mainboard module powered by either PoE, or USB
  • GPS module with battery backup to hold ephemeral data for hot starts
  • Handles up to 5700 requests a second
  • Web GUI
  • Bad packet reject
  • Selectable Rate limiting
  • Selectable Request clicker
  • Selectable Hourly Time audio pulse
  • MQTT stats (update configurable from GUI) providing tons of data including:
    • requests served total
    • requests per second
    • rejected requests total
    • rejected request per second.
  • 12 onboard LEDs showing GPS lock on the three main constellations
  • 1 LED synced to PPS
  • Innovative design using data / multicore cable instead of RF RG174 cable to antenna and timing adjustment for cable length
  • Low Latency mode capable of achieving around 100 microseconds latency.
  • Dual stack IPv4 (DHCP or Static) and IPv6 (SLAAC or Static)
  • OTA firmware updates being continuously updated.
  • All opensource with Docs and code available on the web

I have been using them for the last three weeks, and they have been rock-solid, so I thought I would share my discovery with anyone interested in joining the pool on a budget.

If anyone wants to ask questions, please feel free to do so. Alternatively, the maker responds pretty-quickly to queries and questions.

I must admit I am very impressed with its performance; especially for something costing around $100 dollars…..!

Lniks:

Hardware

Code and Docs

2

I have a couple more in stock now, thanks for those that ordered today. You can get yourself from JLCPCB obviously. Next design uses RJ45 patch lead to GPS module, which I have working now - makes wiring easier.

3

It it quite expensive for compared to the NTP-220

The NTP-220 is far better.

Nothing needed, and it’s just 194 USD.

4

Hi Bas,

Noticed you were setting up the CenterClick series of Servers, and great to see they are working out for you. Very nice piece of kit, especially the web metrics and performance. It is good that we have the choice out there, sub $1000 / £1000

I use Leo 1200s, and RevK servers, and perhaps now, even a CenteClick. Each have their individual benefits:

Leo - £600: 100,000 requests a second, nice LCD, excellent precision, good metrics, not open source

CentreClick - £260: 10,000 requests a second, very detailed web UI and tracking, good precision, not open source

RevK - £84: 5,700 request a second, simple web UI, very good precision, MQTT metrics, data cable instead of RG174, open source. Direct from the maker, it is plug and play – built and firmware loaded. However, all the code, .kicad, and .stl files are available, if people want to build it, including cases, for even less themselves.

For some, the RevK module is an interesting proposition. I guess it comes down to how much people want to spend, to ‘dip their toe’ into the NTP world and see whether the experience is for them.

I do agree the CenteClick is a very interesting proposition, and if I pickup one, I know who knows a lot about them to ask questions.

Thanks for highlighting them Bas.

Dave.

5

My home-system can’t handle those loads, as the speed isn’t big enough.
I only have 100/30mbit VDSL2, but it’s enough for me to power my rackservers with STR1 NTP-data.
It’s not meant to be a big NTP-server in my system, I have STR2’s for that.

Also, I already build my own STR1 server with a Garmin-puck, but was bored with it, then I saw a person talking about the CentreClick’s. As they are cheap, I ordered one.

Not expecting much, the Garmin-puck also costs 150 euro (even more as I have 1Hz and 5Hz versions).

But after running the little NTP-220, I found it even better then the Garmin’s. so it’s now my main STR1 time source.

Maybe when I get bored with the NTP-220, I will buy something else. :rofl:

6

100/30 should be more than enough for even a high load NTP server.

The rate limiting step will be your router :slight_smile:

7

Current setup.

current-modem-router-switch-ntp220-setup
current-modem-router-switch-ntp220-setup2048×1152 188 KB

Zyxel DSL 100/30Mbit → Nuc OpenWRT router → Netgear switch → NTP220 / rest network.