NTP client-side automatic configuration

摘要

Techniques and solutions for performing automatic client-side configuration of network services is described. For example, a host can determine a location where the host is located. The host can obtain a list of locations containing providers of the network service. The host can obtain network service providers based on the list. For example, the host can first obtain providers from the same location and then from other locations as needed. In some implementations, the domain name system (DNS) is used to lookup available providers of the network service. For example, the DNS system can be used to provide information about available providers that is specific to the location of the host running the network service client and/or based on other criteria (e.g., based on a type of network, such as a network fabric, associated with the host).

主权项

1. A method, implemented by a computing device, for performing automatic network time protocol (NTP) client-side configuration, the method comprising:
determining a cluster where the computing device is located; determining a network fabric associated with the computing device; obtaining a list of one or more clusters, wherein the list is associated with the network fabric, and wherein each of the one or more clusters in the list contain at least one stratum time source; when the cluster where the computing device is located is one of the one or more clusters in the list, obtaining at least some of a pre-determined number of stratum time sources from the cluster where the computing device is located; and if the pre-determined number of stratum time sources is not available from the cluster where the computing device is located, obtaining any remaining of the pre-determined number of stratum time sources from other clusters of the one or more clusters in order of lowest latency to highest latency; when the cluster where the computing device is located is not one of the one or more clusters in the list, obtaining the pre-determined number of stratum time sources from the one or more clusters in order from a lowest latency cluster, of the one or more clusters, to a highest latency cluster, of the one or more clusters; and configuring an NTP client of the computing device with the obtained pre-determined number of stratum time sources.