CompTIA Cloud+ Practice Test

Which protocol allows all devices to synchronize to a central time service?

1. SNTP

2. HTTP

3. NTP

4. FTP

The correct answer is: NTP

The protocol that allows all devices to synchronize to a central time service is the Network Time Protocol (NTP). NTP is specifically designed to synchronize the clocks of computers and network devices over packet-switched, variable-latency data networks. By using a hierarchical system of time sources, NTP allows devices on a network to obtain precise time information from a reliable central time server. This is crucial for various network applications that require time stamps and coordinated timing, such as logging events, security protocols, and scheduling tasks. NTP operates using a complex algorithm that accounts for network latency and adjusts the devices’ clocks accordingly. It can operate over both local networks and the internet, making it highly versatile for a variety of environments. The primary goal of NTP is to ensure all connected devices maintain a consistent and accurate time, which is essential for system synchronization and functionality. In contrast, other protocols mentioned do not serve this purpose: Simple Network Time Protocol (SNTP) is a simplified version of NTP but is less accurate and not primarily designed for high precision; Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is used for transferring hypertext documents on the web and has no relevance to time synchronization; and File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is focused on transferring files across a