NTP broadcast-based associations

The broadcast-based NTP associations should be used in configurations involving potentially large client population. Broadcast-based NTP associations are also recommended for use on networks that have limited bandwidth, system memory, or CPU resources.

The devices operating in the broadcast server mode broadcasts the NTP packets periodically which can be picked up by the devices operating in broadcast client mode. The broadcast server is configured using the broadcast command.

A networking device operating in the broadcast client mode does not engage in any polling. Instead, the device receives the NTP broadcast server packets from the NTP broadcast servers in the same subnet. The NTP broadcast client forms a temporary client association with the NTP broadcast server. A broadcast client is configured using the broadcast client command. For broadcast client mode to work, the broadcast server and the clients must be located on the same subnet.