Time distribution on NT 4.0 Workstations

[HomerJ]

I want to distribute a central time from a server to all workstations with the net time command. Unfortunately our users didn't have local administrative rights to change time. What can i do to distribute to all workstations local administrative rights ? I didn't wanna change this at every workstation local.
Thanks for response.

Best regards
HomerJ

 

[Stiddy]

Have you considered the resource kit utility, Timeserv.exe?

 

[thatrenowned]

Put this in your logon script:

NET TIME /DOMAIN:YOUR-DOMAIN-NAME /SET /Y

This is what I use because it sets the time to the same as the domain controller.

 

[HomerJ]

Thanks for response. What can i do with this utility ?
I don't wanna take for all users local administrative rights.

HomerJ

 

[Stiddy]

What you do is copy the timeserv.exe to all of your workstations winnt\system32 directory. Then you will setup the executable to run as a service on the local machine starting automatically. You will then copy an ini file named timeserv.ini to the \winnt directory. Evertime the computer boots, and also periodically the workstation will poll its time source, which can be your PDC, BDC, or even a MEMBER server, and for the correct time from that server. You can then setup that now TIMESERVER to get its time from a known accurate timesoucre. An example may be : ntp2.usno.navy.mil;\\tock.usno.navy.mil;\\tick.usno.navy.mil, which are always timesources that are accurate. For each workstation you will modify the timeserv.ini, or if you want all workstations to go to the same place just modify one and push it to all. If you decide to take this action I can explain more. All of this files again are located in the Ntreskit.

 

[HomerJ]

Ok, thanks. I'll try this.

Best regards
HomerJ

 

[bierhunter]

Also, you can remotely change the permissions for setting the time. You'll have to do this on each computer. It sounds like either solution will need you to access each system.

Through "User Mgr for Domains", you can connect to each PC remotely and change the policies to allow Domain Users the right to set the local PC's time. Then, the NET TIME /DOMAIN:YOUR-DOMAIN-NAME /SET /Y
added to the login script will work.