Testing Timeserver Connection

Testing a Timeserver Connection

You can verify a specific computer's connection to a timeserver over the Internet using Telnet. Telnet, included as a utility with Windows, allows a user to specify both the address and port to test an Internet connection.

To test a connection:

1. Open an MS-DOS Window.

2. Type both the address followed by the port to connect to. Most timeservers use port 13 (the daytime port) for time queries.

3. The result of the time string should be visible in the telnet window. Check the format of the string with the supported Daytime time format to verify the type of timeserver.

4. Telnet will report the connection to the host is lost even though the time string has arrived. This is normal.

5. If the server does not respond, it is possible that either:

The timeserver is not currently in operation. Try another address.
The server does not accept time requests from unregistered IP addresses. Some servers require that you register your IP address before servicing your time request.
The server does not use port 13.
You are sitting behind a proxy server that restricts communication over the Internet. You must talk to the proxy server, which can then relay the request to the timeserver. See the User Guide section on firewalls and proxy servers.
Your connection to the Internet is not working.

A typical Telnet session:

MS-DOS:

C:\WINDOWS>telnet time-a.nist.gov 13

Telnet responds:

49010 93-01-23 22:01:22 00 0 0 50.0 UTC(NIST) *

(Telnet will then report connection to host is lost)